Brown marmorated stink bugs invade Western Washington

The brown marmorated stink bug is native to Asia and first arrived in America in the Mid-Atlantic states. In 2010, these bugs decimated crops on the east coast. That same year, the first stink bugs were detected in Washington state.

Now the bugs are prolific in Western Washington, mainly in King, Pierce, and Thurston counties. Researchers at Washington State University have received 300 inquiries about bugs in just three weeks.

Stink bugs earned their name by giving off a putrid odour when they are threatened or killed. The bugs don't bite or sting, but they pose a serious threat to agriculture by gorging on fruits, vegetables, trees and plants.

The brown marmorated stink bugs can be distinguished by thin white bands on their antennae. WSU researchers encourage Washington state residents to take a photo of the bugs and email them with name, date, amount and location of the bugs. Send to [email protected].

KING 5 reported on a similar stink bug infestation in Western Washington in 2016. Stink bugs are very hardy.

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