Bug Identifier
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Nymph)
Community identification

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Nymph)

Halyomorpha halys

Order & Family
Hemiptera – Pentatomidae
Size
Nymphs vary from 2.4 mm (1st instar) to 12 mm (5th instar). Adults grow to approximately 17 mm (0.67 inches) long.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in agricultural fields, vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, and frequently inside homes or buildings where they seek shelter during cooler months.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous herbivore; feeds on a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants like apples, peaches, corn, and soybeans using piercing-sucking mouthparts.

Behavior Patterns

Known for releasing a pungent, coriander-like odor when threatened or crushed. They invade human-made structures in large numbers to overwinter (diapause) and emerge in spring to feed and reproduce.

Risks & Benefits

Considered a significant agricultural pest causing damage to fruit and vegetable crops. For humans, they are a nuisance pest due to their home invasions and unpleasant smell, but they do not bite or transmit diseases.