Agriculture Victoria is encouraging all Victorians to keep a lookout for Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) to help respond to detections near the international ports and ensure the pest does not establish.

BMSB is a hitchhiker pest that tries to cross our borders by hiding inside imported shipping containers, machinery, goods, and packaging – especially between September and April.

Throughout this period, Agriculture Victoria staff conduct visual surveillance and deploy traps around detection points to ensure nothing has escaped and is established in the environment. This work is undertaken in collaboration with the Commonwealth Government.

In places where the pest is established overseas, BMSB seeks shelter in buildings and equipment during the winter months and has a foul-smelling odor when crushed or disturbed, making it a significant nuisance pest.

Acting Chief Plant Health Officer Stephen Dibley thanked those community members who swiftly reported suspect sightings. 'Early detection is our best defense, and your efforts helped ensure we respond quickly to contain the pest.'

'While we remain vigilant in responding to these detections, we are confident that we have picked them up immediately after arrival.' BMSB is an economically damaging pest that attacks up to 300 fruit and vegetable crops, and ornamental trees. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is responsible for Australia's biosecurity at our international border and manages the risk of BMSB arriving in Australia.