Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is a highly polyphagous invasive species attacking both cultivated and wild plants increasing its threat to ecosystems as a global pest. However, dispersal biology of this invasive species is not well understood. This study evaluated the flight capacity and behavior of H. halys under laboratory, semi-field, and field conditions. Flight mills were used to measure the baseline flight capacity of adults collected year round from the field and included both foraging and overwintering populations. The effects of abiotic conditions such as wind speed and temperatures on the free flight parameters of H. halys were evaluated under semi-field and field conditions. The mean flight distances over a 22-h period were 2442 and 2083 m for male and female, respectively. Most individuals (89%) flew <5 km, though some flew much further with a maximum flight distance observed of 117 km. Flight distances by H. halys increased after emergence from overwintering sites in spring and reached their highest point in June. The incidence of take off by H. halys was significantly affected by the wind speed; when provided with still air conditions, 83% of individuals took off, but the rates decreased to <10% when wind speed was increased to or above 0.75 m s−1. The incidence of take off by H. halys was significantly affected by ambient temperature and light intensity in the field, whereas relative humidity and insect sex did not. When the temperature was at 10–15°C, 3% of individuals took off, but the proportion of H. halys taking flight increased to 61, 84, and 87% at 15–20, 20–25, and 25–30°C, respectively. In the field, prevailing flight direction was biased toward the opposite direction of the sun's position, especially in the morning. The implications of H. halys flight biology are discussed in the context of developing monitoring and management programs for this invasive species.

Following the accidental introduction and initial discovery of H. halys in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA, this species has been detected in 41 states and the District of Columbia in the USA. Isolated populations also exist in Switzerland, France, Italy and Canada. Recent detections also have been reported in Germany and Liechtenstein. BMSB has become a major nuisance pest in the mid-Atlantic region and Pacific Northwest, USA, due to its overwintering behaviour of entering human-made structures in large numbers. BMSB also feeds on numerous tree fruits, vegetables, field crops, ornamental plants, and native vegetation in its native and invaded ranges. In the mid-Atlantic region, serious crop losses have been reported for apples, peaches, sweetcorn, peppers, tomatoes and row crops such as field maize and soyabeans since 2010. Crop damage has also been detected in other states recently including Oregon, Ohio, New York, North Carolina and Tennessee.