Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) wants people to keep biosecurity in mind as they unwrap presents from overseas this festive season.

BNZ is ramping up an awareness campaign to encourage people to report possible sightings of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) – a major threat to New Zealand’s horticulture industry.

BMSB infests horticultural crops, causing damage to flowers, stems, leaves and fruit of host plants.

Significant crops likely to be affected include apples, corn, wine grapes, kiwifruit, and some stone fruit varieties.

Along with harming the horticultural industry, BMSB can infest homes and ruin gardens. The bug stinks when it is crushed and is almost impossible to get rid of. 

Funded jointly by BNZ and industry members of the BMSB Council, the summer campaign (November to March), will target local gardeners and online shoppers who receive goods from overseas.

BNZ deputy director-general Stuart Anderson said his organisation is well prepared for the high-risk season.

“There is ongoing monitoring of the threat posed by countries that have known BMSB populations. Officers target passengers, craft and goods that could be contaminated with BMSB.

“Our BMSB measures have been very effective to date. There continues to be no evidence of any established BMSB population in New Zealand.”

He said the recent detection of two live BMSB at Auckland Airport demonstrates the importance of strong biosecurity controls.

People are advised to open parcels from overseas indoors in a closed room and take care to look the items over for biosecurity threats.

Anyone who thinks they have found BMSB is asked to catch it, take a photo, and report it. The find can be reported online or via the hotline ­­– 0800 80 99 66.

PHOTO: Supplied