I've been busy over the past few days. My wife has been on vacation this past week which keeps me moving. I tried to spend as much time as I could with her since her next vacation week won't be until Christmas... three months away! It just doesn't seem that close now, does it?
We are once again being invaded by an invasive insect that we call the "Stink Bug!" (Halyomorpha halys)
Check this little critter out...
It sure is ugly looking and can destroy acres of fruit in our local orchards and vegetables in farm fields . They suck nectar from the fruit and leaves a undesirable brown spot. Although the total fruit is destroyed, no one wants to buy a fruit that has brown spots all over it.
Here is a great Penn State article describing the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB). The first appearance was in Allentown, Pa. in 1998.
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/brown-marmorated-stink-bug
These little one inch buggers are all over our siding, screens, and doors. They get into our home and can survive throughout the winter and into early spring before they die off. They don't present a problem for the home's structure like termites will, but they are annoying as all get out.
The origin appears to be China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Somehow, the "Stink Bug" made it's way here to the USA and is establishing itself.
When you read about how to prevent them in your home, you learn that it is almost physically impossible. I was always taught that a home needs to breath, yet everything I read about these bugs tells us to caulk all openings... LOL! Sure, like we'll catch every slight opening in our home... Heck, these little buggers get in even when you open the doors to go in and out of your home.
Oh, well, I guess we'll all have to learn to share this earth with one more invasive species of insect. It's not like we can't adapt.
Take care and Be Safe Out There On The Water!
Dad
