The first brown marble armored bugs found in the Limburg orchard

The brown marble armor bug feels at home in the southern Netherlands. This spring, a large number of bugs were caught in the gardens in Limburg. In early June, the Dutch Fruit Growers’ Association reported that bugs had been detected for the first time in an orchard. Shield bug Danger to pepper growers in the greenhouse.

Since 2020, WUR Randwiz has been conducting research on the invasive brown marble shield bug Haliomorpa halis. In the fall of 2020, citizens were invited to send reports of new bugs through the media. Distribution within the Netherlands was visualized in this way.

Several reports came in, especially from the south of the Netherlands. A significant number of bugs were found in several backyards in Limburg. Traps were set this spring in these gardens and nearby fruit growing plots. Developed by researchers in New Zealand, these test traps have a large tube that is dynamic with air and fitted with a trap. An attraction that appealed to both men and women was used. On a hot afternoon in May, bugs aged 30 and 50 were trapped in two traps, and some specimens were also found in orchards in early June. The brown-marble armor bug has successfully wintered in that region, and the new trap is in operation. Whether the trap is better than conventional traps will be explored in the fall.

In addition to local hibernation, new bugs are introduced in the Netherlands each year, mainly from southern Europe. With goods transport, but of course with private persons. The recurring news from the holidays is remarkable. People who camped with their caravan in Artechillo or northern Italy last fall brought numerous bugs from there to the Netherlands. Despite attempts to eliminate the bugs, the animals still come out of their shelters in caravans or camp gear.

Hermann Helson and WUR Randwigkin’s Karin Winkler are also following the growth of the bug this year. The bug is sure to be exaggerated and reproduced in the Netherlands. However, he is unlikely to make two generations in the summer like in Italy, and the Dutch summers seem too short for that. Due to the cold spring, it will take longer this year than 2020 to lay the first eggs. Best Sector Horticulture and Propagation Materials and NFOs for the project “Preventing Occupational Shield Damage”

For more information:
Karin Winkler
Herman Helson

Source: NFO