KVH and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are on high alert to stop the invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) from making a home in New Zealand.

September to April is the high-risk season for the stink bug, as this is when it starts aggregating in dark sheltered places in the Northern Hemisphere, including cargo and personal goods destined for New Zealand.

The BMSB is the kiwifruit industry’s second most unwanted biosecurity threat (after fruit flies) and the risk of it entering New Zealand is considered extreme. If it establishes here, it would result in significant production losses to horticultural industries and social impacts to the New Zealand public as it infests homes over winter.

We all have a role to play in effectively managing the risk of an invasive hitchhiker pest like the BMSB - a new risk update (incorporating latest information from MPI) about a wide range of activities is now available on the KVH website.

KVH is also part of a national communications campaign (alongside MPI and other industry groups) to raise awareness of the BMSB and there are several resources and videos available on our website to share with colleagues, friends and families so that they can also be on the lookout for this unwanted pest and know how to report any suspect finds. Every New Zealander has a vital role to play if we are to have a chance against this nasty pest.