The detection of the invasive insect, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) at a warehouse in western Sydney has triggered a biosecurity response by NSW DPI in collaboration with Greater Sydney Local Land Services and the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
The Director of Plant Biosecurity and Product Integrity at NSW Department of Primary Industries, Dr Satendra Kumar, said BMSB eat a wide range of plants and can cause damage to vegetable crops and fruit and ornamental trees and their spread must be stopped. They are large bugs that give off a strong odour when disturbed.
The insects were found at a warehouse in a container that had arrived from Italy, and the container and warehouse have been fumigated. No stink bugs have been detected outside the affected property.
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/releases/2017/exotic-pest-alert-brown-marmorated-stink-bug