
Community identification
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Pentatomidae
- Size
- Approximately 1.7 cm (0.67 inches) long and wide.
Natural Habitat
Agricultural fields, orchards, gardens, and urban settings; often seeks shelter in warm buildings during winter.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous; uses piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on over 100 species of plants, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals.
Behavior Patterns
Active during warm months; releases a pungent odor from abdominal glands when threatened or crushed. Undergoes incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages.
Risks & Benefits
Considered a significant agricultural pest that damages crops. While harmless to humans (non-stinging/non-biting), they can be a major nuisance when invading homes in large numbers.