voyeur

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Brown-marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)

Stink bugs invade once again.

“The brown-marmorated stink bug is a native of Asia and was first collected in the United States in 1998 in Pennsylvania, according to Penn State University. It has caused severe damage to fruit crops like apples and peaches,” reported Rebecca Williams on knoxNews in 2010.

“But now the bugs are hitting hard in the suburbs of Knoxville," added Neal Denton at the same time. "They have reproduced vigorously during the warm summer and are now looking for warm places to stay as the weather cools, including homes, garages and campers.”

Well they're back.

Now that the weather has turned colder again, I’ve had a few marmorated (it means having a marbled or streaked appearance) stink bugs loitering about my kitchen and bathroom sink this week. Their cherub little faces watch me brush my teeth, dry my hair, trim my graying beard. Like the movie Being There's Chance the gardener, "They like to watch." One is a rather nonthreatening voyeur, that seems inordinately interested in me. Are they all government spies, should I be paranoid? Although honestly, it's kind of nice having something that actually wants to share my morning curry.

I wonder if they will be with me the rest of the winter.

I'll miss them when their gone. 

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