Homegrown: Bugged by stink bugs

Reaction to an article I wrote in this week's Gazette shows Iowans are really bugged by bugs.

Some wanted to know how to get rid of the brown marmorated stink bug, even before it reaches Iowa.

Fortunately, state experts have not yet confirmed any infestations of this voracious pest.

But they are on the lookout.

Donald Lewis, entomologist at Iowa State University, noted that stink bugs have many look-alikes, including members of the squash bug family.

He sent the following information about where you can check to see if the insect lurking in your garden is a stink bug or something else:

Stink bugs, and especially the brown marmorated stink bugs, are wider and less elongated than squash bugs.  The length of stink bugs and the squash bugs is similar, though squash bugs look longer because of the narrower shape.  The brown marmorated stink bug has banded antennae as seen here:  http://njaes.rutgers.edu/images/photos/stinkbug/adult-female-full.jpg

The similar looking insect found indoors in the fall of the year is another member of the squash bug family but is called the leaffooted bug or pine seed bug.  It is common on pine trees throughout Iowa and wanders indoors by mistake in the fall of the year.  See   http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/info/insects/true-bugs/pine-seed-bug

Another link to common insects that look like the invasive stink bug:  

http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/info/articles/stink-bugs-and-lookalikes