Stink Bug

Found in agricultural fields, orchards, gardens, and wooded areas. They are known to overwinter in human structures like homes and sheds.

Polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of plants, including fruits (apples, peaches, berries), vegetables (tomatoes, corn, peppers), and ornamental plants. They feed by inserting their piercing-sucking mouthparts into plant tissues and extracting sap.

Stink bugs are known for releasing a pungent odor when disturbed or crushed, which is a defense mechanism. They are avid flyers and are attracted to lights. In colder months, they seek shelter indoors to overwinter, often congregating in large numbers. Females lay clusters of barrel-shaped eggs on the underside of leaves.

Potential risks include significant agricultural pest status, causing damage to crops which can lead to economic losses for farmers. They can also be a nuisance pest when they infest homes in large numbers. There are no known direct benefits to humans, and their impact on the ecosystem is primarily as a plant feeder.