Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Agricultural fields, orchards, gardens, and urban/suburban environments. They often seek shelter in homes and buildings during cooler months.

Polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of plants, including fruits (apples, peaches, berries), vegetables (tomatoes, peppers), and agricultural crops. They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap.

Known for their tendency to aggregate in large numbers on the sides of homes and buildings in the fall, seeking overwintering sites. When disturbed or crushed, they emit a foul-smelling odor as a defense mechanism. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).

Risks: Significant agricultural pest, causing damage to numerous crops. They can also be a nuisance pest in homes, emitting unpleasant odors if squashed and creating an unsanitary environment when present in large numbers. Benefits: No notable direct benefits to humans or ecosystems, primarily considered a pest species.