Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Natural Habitat

Originally from East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan), it has become an invasive species in North America and Europe. It is often found in agricultural settings, orchards, gardens, and urban/suburban environments. During colder months, adults seek shelter in homes, garages, and other structures.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous, feeding on a wide range of host plants, including agricultural crops (e.g., apples, peaches, corn, soybeans, tomatoes), ornamental plants, and wild vegetation. They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on fruits, vegetables, and plant sap, causing damage to crops.

Behavior Patterns

Stink bugs overwinter as adults, often aggregating in large numbers on the exterior of homes and then migrating indoors through cracks and openings to find warmth. They are known for releasing a pungent, unpleasant odor when disturbed or crushed, which is a defensive mechanism. They are generally slow-moving but can fly. Mating occurs in spring, and females lay clusters of barrel-shaped eggs on the undersides of leaves.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include being a significant agricultural pest, causing considerable damage to crops and financial losses for farmers. They can also be a nuisance pest in homes, especially during fall and winter, due to their tendency to aggregate indoors and the foul odor they produce. They are not known to bite humans or animals, or transmit diseases. There are no significant benefits associated with this invasive species in the regions where it has been introduced.

Identified on: 9/14/2025