While none has so far proved to be the pest — New Zealand has a similar-looking and relatively harmless native bug — MPI wants people to continue to be vigilant.
A recent report commissioned by Horticulture NZ from the Institute of Economic Research estimated the stink bug, which was last month discovered in several shipments of cars coming from Japan, could knock more than $4 billion of export value from the fruit, vegetable and wine industries by 2038 if it became established.
Real GDP could fall by a minimum of $3.6b, according to the report.
Alan Pollard is CEO of
NZ Apples and Pears chief executive and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Council chairman Alan Pollard said the council has put significant time and finances into community awareness campaigns over the last few months, including print advertising through gardening magazines, a video featuring bug man Ruud Kleinpaste, information sent to plant producers and garden centres and social media engagement.
People tend to think of the stink bug as a problem for farmers but insects mostly turn up in urban areas first because they come in through city ports or airports.
Once established they start by destroying home gardens and then move out into the countryside.
“It’s not just a rural issue, it’s a significant urban issue.
“Over winter the marmorated stink bugs hide in warm, dark places like people’s houses. There are videos showing United States homes that are infested. One family estimated they had 26,000 bugs in their house.”
But once they get established in the city it doesn’t take long before they start devastating crops too, Pollard says.
“They are good travellers.”
An MPI spokesman said it is working “to encourage a steady flow of information from the public to help us ensure this bug does not become established in NZ”.
An autumn/winter information campaign is being developed, asking people to keep watch indoors for stink bugs heading inside to hibernate.
Pollard says public vigilance was critical in the 2015 outbreak of the Queensland fruit fly in Auckland.
“The idea of having a biosecurity team of 4.7 million isn’t just rhetoric,” Pollard said.
“A huge effort is needed from all New Zealanders to protect our borders.”
