David Owens, Extension Entomologist, owensd@udel.edu
Green stink bugs are flying quite heavily as indicated by our blacklight trap captures. This flight seems to be unusually high. Scout peaches for evidence of bug wounds (sap oozing from fruit, cat facing). Stink bugs are not the only pests that can cause weeping sap from the fruit, so it may be useful to beat a few branches over a sheet to determine if they are present. They can cause significant damage in low numbers, so it can be difficult to scout for them. Bifenthrin is an excellent stink bug pyrethroid, and does a better job on brown marmorated than others. Keep in mind pyrethroid applications risk flaring up spider mites. Brigade has a supplemental label for peach and pome fruit, you won’t see theses crops on the main label. Neonicotinoids, such as Actara and Venom, also generally do a good job on stink bugs as well as plum curculio.