1 brown marmorated stink bug discovered on P.E.I.
Islanders are being asked to be on the look out for the pest that can damage some crops
Prince Edward Islanders are being asked to be on the look out for a destructive agricultural pest called the brown marmorated stink bug.
One insect was spotted on a transfer truck that came into P.E.I. So far that has been the only one found on the Island.
The bugs can cause major damage in a wide range of crops, including apples, peaches, berries, peppers and corn.
Dr. Christine Noronha of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Charlottetown is working with colleagues across the country to monitor the insect's progress.
"Right now we are just trying to be proactive," said Noronha.
"There is nothing to worry about at this point in time. We are going to set up some traps..aggregation traps, pheromone traps ... We also want to get the citizens involved, people involved in this, and we want them to look out."
She wants to make sure the Island agriculture sector isn't caught off-guard by an outbreak that will be harder to control.
P.E.I. gardening clubs that want to help will be given traps.
The brown marmorated stink bug is nearly twice the size of a typical stink bug and has distinctive white dots along the edge of its finger-nail shaped brown body.
Noronha said it has a very unpleasant smell, designed to ward off predators.
Anyone who finds a brown marmorated stink bug on P.E.I. is asked to contact Noronha at [email protected].