Bug Identifier
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Community identification

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Halyomorpha halys

Order & Family
Hemiptera / Pentatomidae
Size
1.7 cm (0.67 inches) long and nearly as wide.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found on a wide variety of host plants including fruit trees, vegetables, and ornamentals. They frequently enter human structures in the fall to overwinter.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous herbivore that feeds on fruits, vegetables, and field crops by piercing the plant tissue and sucking out nutrients.

Behavior Patterns

Known for seeking warmth in homes during cold months. They aggregate in large numbers and release a pungent odor from scent glands when disturbed or crushed.

Risks & Benefits

High risk as an agricultural pest causing significant crop damage. They are considered a nuisance insect in homes but do not bite humans or transmit diseases. They have no significant ecosystem benefits in non-native regions.