Leaf-footed Bug |
The photo at left illustrates the type of damage I found caused by stink bugs. The nut on the far left was attacked during the water stage of nut development causing nut fill to cease and the entire kernel to become black and papery. The three other nuts were attacked after the nut had entered the dough stage. Each black spot on the kernel represents a stink bug feeding site.
Stink bugs are a serious problem for back yard pecan growers. At the Pecan Experiment Field we use pesticides and an air-blast sprayer to keep these kernel feeding pests at bay. But these restricted-use pesticides and the equipment needed to apply them are generally not available to to the small scale pecan producer. Carbaryl insecticide is widely available to home-owners and is recommended for use to control pecan weevil. Carbaryl sprays, aimed at pecan weevil, will help reduce stink bug injury but will not eliminate the problem.
You will notice that the amount of stink bug damage will vary widely from year to year. This is largely due to weather patterns that influence insect populations and the availability of alternative host plants for stink bugs to feed and reproduce.
One thing is for sure, I'll be picking out a lot of stink bug damaged nuts while I'm shelling out the Kanza nut I picked up at home.