
Community identification
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Pentatomidae
- Size
- 12 to 17 mm (0.5 to 0.7 inches) long
Natural Habitat
Orchards, gardens, and agricultural fields; often enters buildings during cold months for overwintering.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous; feeds on a wide variety of plants including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental trees using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Behavior Patterns
Known for releasing a pungent odor from scent glands when disturbed; exhibits aggregative behavior when seeking shelter indoors.
Risks & Benefits
A major agricultural pest that damages crops; nuisance to homeowners but does not bite humans or transmit diseases; no significant ecosystem benefits in non-native regions.