Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture have decoded chemical pheromones released by the brown marmorated stink bugs, and outlined their findings in a new study.
A study was released detailing the chemical structure of the stink bug's aggregation pheromone this week. The study was published in the "Journal of Natural Products."
For their research, scientists collected airborne extracts released by the brown bug to attract other stink bugs to feeding and overwintering locations, according to a news release issued by the
Research was led by Ashot Khrimian, who's based at the Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory in Beltsville, Md.
Stink bugs are well known for releasing aggregation pheromones in the fall, attracting hundreds, if not thousands to dead trees, houses, apartments, and other locations.
In the study, Khrimian and his colleagues confirmed that two chemicals are produced exclusively by adult males. They then synthesized the attractants as lures, according to the release.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology in Taipei, Taiwan also assisted with the study.
The brown marmorated stink bug has been spotted in over 30 states nationwide.
In certain places, stink bugs have forced fruit and vegetable growers to increase insecticide applications to try controlling the bugs.
Stink bugs can feed on everything from corn, apples, peppers, soybeans, and peaches, to name a few.
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