Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Natural Habitat

Originally from Asia, these bugs are now widespread in North America and Europe. They are commonly found in agricultural fields, orchards, gardens, and wooded areas during the warmer months. In the fall, they often seek shelter in homes and other buildings to overwinter.

Diet & Feeding

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is primarily herbivorous, feeding on a wide variety of plants, including fruits, vegetables, field crops, and ornamental plants. They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant juices.

Behavior Patterns

Stink bugs are known for releasing a foul-smelling odor when disturbed or crushed, which is a defense mechanism. They are generally slow-moving. In late summer and fall, they tend to aggregate on the sides of homes and other structures as they seek overwintering sites. They often enter homes through cracks and openings.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include being a significant agricultural pest, causing damage to crops which leads to economic losses. While generally harmless to humans, their presence indoors can be a nuisance, and their defensive odor can be unpleasant. They do not bite or transmit diseases. There are generally no direct benefits to humans or the ecosystem recognized for this invasive species.

Identified on: 8/21/2025