Yellow spotted stink bug
The yellow spotted stink bug - Erthesina fullo - is an exotic pest with the potential to cause major damage to agricultural crops and other plants.
Background
The yellow spotted stink bug (Erthesina fullo) is a plant pest which is not present in Australia. It is one of the most widely distributed phytophagous insect pests in Asia, and feeds on dozens of host plants including a number of economically important fruits, such as apples, cherries, pears and kiwifruit.
Yellow spotted stink bugs also have the potential to become a nuisance pest with large groups of adults invading buildings and vehicles during winter. Although the yellow spotted stink bug is not a risk to human health, when disturbed or crushed, it can emit a characteristic, unpleasant and long-lasting odour.
Identification
Adult yellow spotted stink bugs are 18-23 mm long and 8-11 mm wide, with a dark brown to black body speckled with yellow spots. They also have a yellow midline stripe on the head and following segments and alternating yellow and black markings on the sides of the abdomen.
Host range
Yellow spotted stink bug is polyphagous, with over 57 host plant species in 29 families. Its host range includes commercial crops, amenity and ornamental plants
Erthesina fullo
SIZE: 18-23 mm.
COLOUR: Blackish with yellow spots and middle line on head and front of body, and yellow-banded legs.
ABDOMEN: Sides with alternate black and yellow markings.
Spread and movement
The yellow spotted stink bug is a known hitchhiker pest that can arrive in Australia a variety of ways, in containers, passengers/luggage, general cargo or used machinery and vehicles. The nymphs go through five stages of development during the summer before becoming adults.
Yellow spotted stink bugs spend winter in the adult stage, sometimes under bark or in natural crevices, and become active again during the warm sunny days of spring when adults mate and females lay their eggs on leaves. Yellow spotted stink bugs are strong fliers and are capable of rapid dispersal across the landscape and between hosts. Adults emerging from overwintering have been observed to travel up to 3 km in five days.
Reporting
If you suspect yellow spotted stink bug:
- Immediately report the sighting to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
- If possible, catch and contain the suspect bug.
- Take a photo of the individual(s) for submission to pirsa.planthealth@sa.gov.au
- The best photos clearly show the suspect bug’s dorsal side (its back) and are large enough that features and colouration are clearly visible.
- If the individual(s) is in a confined area attempt to limit spread by closing lids, doors, and windows.
- Note details regarding where and when the suspect individual(s) was found – e.g. the type of plant it was found on, whether there was any damage to the plant, number of individuals, whether it was found in proximity to a recently delivered international package