The Hawaii Department of Agriculture says a new insect pest has been discovered on Maui that threatens lots of crops.

The bagrada bug, also known as “the painted stink bug,” was detected last week in a student garden by faculty at the University of Hawaii Maui College campus.

“The bagrada bug is a serious pest of many major vegetable crops in Hawaii,” Scott Enright, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture, said in a press release today. “We are surveying the state for any other infestations of this pest and also working on determining treatment options available for local farmers and home gardeners.”

Native to Africa, the bagrada bug is related to stinkbugs and was first detected in Los Angeles County in June 2008, says the HDOA. It has since spread to Southern California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Southern Utah and West Texas.

The bagrada bug.

HDOA

“The bagrada bug does its damage by feeding on plants using its needle-like mouthparts to suck the juices from the plant,” according to the press release. “This results in stippled or wilted areas on the leaves and in some cases causes stunting of the plant.”

The bug is black with orange and white markings and is 5 to 7 millimeters long. It likes to host on broccoli, cauliflower, radish, turnips, watercress, kale, mustard,  collard greens and various cabbages, with a preference for Asiatic varieties such as pak choy, tatsoi and Chinese cabbage.

It can also feed on corn, cucumbers, okra, sugarcane, papaya, potato, cotton, figs and some legumes. Call the Plant Pest Control Branch on Oahu at 973-9525, email hdoa.ppc@hawaii.govor call the statewide toll-free Pest Hotline at 643-PEST (7378).