Source:  NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 9/14/21

For all practical purposes, brown marmorated stink bug remains the only pest of apples throughout the region. You have probably noticed many beginning to disperse to buildings, cars and other structures, which is a response to declining day length and an effort to locate overwintering sites. However, before they enter overwintering sites they need to consume food to build up fat reserves to survive the winter, and apples remain an ideal food source. While much of the population has completed emergence in lower elevation sites (i.e., Cleveland County), approximately 25% and 45% of first generation adults have yet to emerge in Wilkes and Henderson County, respectively. As these adults emerge and seek food, apples will remain at risk, especially highly susceptible cultivars such as Granny Smith and Pink Lady. Hence, control may still be necessary on apples that will not be harvested until October.

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