Biosecurity Alert: New Zealand Prepares 'Samurai Wasp' Army to Combat Stink Bug Threat

Biosecurity New Zealand and the Bioeconomy Science Institute are developing biological controls, including the samurai wasp, to protect crops from the brown marmorated stink bug.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 5:45 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The BMSB Threat: A High-Stakes Risk for Horticulture

The brown marmorated stink bug is considered one of the most significant threats to New Zealand’s primary industries. Capable of feeding on over 300 host plants, including apples, cherries, and kiwifruit, the bug has previously caused massive economic destruction in the United States and Italy. Beyond commercial crops, experts warn that New Zealand's native flora is at high risk, as the BMSB is known to attack plants within the same botanical families as indigenous species. Furthermore, the bug’s defensive chemicals are potent enough in large numbers to cause respiratory intoxication in humans.

The Biological Solution: The "Alien" Samurai Wasp

In a dedicated containment facility nicknamed "Area 51" in Mt Albert, Dr. Gonzalo Avila and his team are rearing samurai wasps. These wasps act as natural predators to the BMSB by laying their eggs inside the stink bug’s eggs. The wasp larvae then consume the host from the within, effectively neutralizing the pest before it can hatch. Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the use of the wasp in 2018, it will only be released into the environment if a BMSB population is confirmed to be established.

Transformative Analysis: Innovation in Biosecurity Readiness

The current strategy represents a shift from reactive to proactive biosecurity management. Rather than waiting for an infestation to peak, BSI researchers are solving logistical challenges in advance. This includes: