Technician Alessandro Passerini reported spotting the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) as well as the resulting damage to top and stone fruit trees.
Adults bug on a peach in the Ferrara area
"Unfortunately we are getting more and more reports of sightings on top and stone fruit, mainly apricots, peaches and William pears. Even the fruit is being damaged."
Neanid
Italy is doing all it can to fight the insect, especially by installing nets. Chemical solutions have in fact so far proven useless for the adults.
Damage on pears
"We need to intervene to contain the population and avoid more damage. In case of emergency, there is a repellent product that makes adults flee momentarily before harvesting. It's an organic product, but it only has a palliative effect as it doesn't completely eliminate the bugs."