In recent years, stink bugs (Kamemushi, カメ虫), which come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, have been appearing in alarming numbers in Japan. These insects are notorious for feeding by poking their mouths into fruits and plants and sucking the juice from them, which often leads to the rotting of fruits and other plants. Due to their destructive feeding habits, they are sometimes regarded as pests.
One prominent characteristic of stink bugs is their ability to emit a foul odor as a defense mechanism to deter predators. This distinctive odor can become a significant annoyance in Japanese households as stink bugs often attach themselves to laundry, transferring their stench to clothes and becoming a nuisance. These insects have a habit of congregating on light-colored items, making white shirts and sheets a prime target. When bringing in your laundry, it’s essential to exercise caution not to get stink bugs on your clothes, as they can ruin your freshly washed garments.
Additionally, experts attribute the recent surge in stink bug populations to global warming and other related factors. As a result, by the end of August this year, 35 of Japan’s 47 prefectures had issued “stink bug warnings” to farmers, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. This increase in stink bug numbers poses a significant threat to agricultural crops, leaving farmers like Toru Kawana, who grows high-quality Japanese pears, lamenting the worst damage ever to their produce.
To address this growing issue, experts recommend a combination of countermeasures, including the use of yellow fluorescent lights to repel stink bugs, the use of insect nets, and the application of pesticide sprays. As Japan grapples with the impact of climate change on stink bug populations, these measures become crucial in protecting both agricultural crops and household belongings from the troublesome stink bug invasion.
New Zealand has barred three cargo ships carrying cars and machinery from Japan due to stink bug infestations, a major threat to the nation’s ecosystem. These invasive insects, which multiply rapidly and resist most pesticides, could devastate New Zealand’s agriculture. The move has disrupted the auto industry, with over 8,000 vehicles stranded in Japan. Authorities are working to treat one of the affected ships to eliminate the bugs before allowing its cargo entry. New Zealand has also imposed new regulations, requiring all used vehicles from Japan to be cleaned and inspected before shipment to protect its vital farming industry.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLCoRE_LhGU
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