The brown marmorated stink bug can be found in every continent in the Northern Hemisphere including North America and mainland Europe and has a wide host range including soft and tree fruit, field vegetables, and ornamentals (Pic: SRUC) SCOTTISH growers have been put on alert for a new insect threat to their crops – the brown marmorated stink bug. The species – formally titled Halyomorpha halys – has not yet been detected north of the border, but it has been intercepted several times at UK ports and now has a confirmed presence in the south of England. Experts have warned that the unfussy bug poses a threat to a wide variety of plants, and thus has the potential to become a serious problem for the UK’s agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries.
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Plan to combat the plague of PCN
EXPERT: Prof Ian Toth says a national strategy is needed.
New research to tackle the growing scourge of Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) has been identified by a specialist Scottish Government working group.
Group member Professor Ian Toth of the James Hutton Institute told a meeting of the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) that an initial research programme costing £2.3m could begin within the next five years if funding is found.
The report, which has been submitted to the Scottish Government, will be published on the Plant Health Centre within the next two weeks.