Bug Identifier
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Community identification

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Halyomorpha halys

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Pentatomidae
Size
12 to 17 mm (approximately 0.5 to 0.7 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Agricultural fields, orchards, gardens, and urban settings; often seeks shelter in homes and buildings during colder months.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous herbivore that feeds on over 100 species of plants, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental trees.

Behavior Patterns

Known for its 'stink' emitted from specialized glands when threatened or crushed. They undergo an overwintering phase (diapause) where they aggregate in large numbers inside warm structures.

Risks & Benefits

Significant agricultural pest causes damage to crops; nuisance in homes. They do not bite or sting humans and are not known to transmit diseases, but can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.