Sting in the tale for stink bugs at the strawberries

A TINY parasitic wasp could be released to tackle a strawberry-munching invasive stink bug under plans being considered by ministers.

The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), which emits a scent of rotting rubbish when disturbed, was first identified in England last year, prompting fears it is spreading and poses a threat to crops.

Samurai wasps, which are about the size of a sesame seed, control the insect’s numbers in its native region of Asia, but the stink bug is spreading across mainland Europe and the United States and destroying fruit crops, with some American states losing 90 per cent of their stone fruit to the pest.

It also poses a risk to maize and tomatoes.

After suspected sightings in Hampshire, the stink bug was recently caught on a nature reserve in Essex, confirming fears it is breeding and spreading here.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said management strategies for the pest are being researched and one promising solution could be releasing samurai wasps (Trissolcus japonicus), which were approved for use on the bug in New Zealand.

Defra said: “It is highly likely that the brown marmorated stink bug will be encountered more frequently in Britain, as it is becoming more common and widespread on the Continent.”

The wasp lays its eggs inside those of the stink bug, and stops up to 85 per cent of stink bug spread.

However, releasing one non-native species to tackle another is risky, and government scientists will have to produce evidence that it will not harm native species.

Defra is also deciding whether to release a nonnative weevil to tackle the menace of floating pennywort, a fast-growing green weed that chokes rivers and canals.

The Listronotus elongatus has been shown to be effective in getting rid of the weed, as the underwater bug eats the leaves.