Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Agricultural fields, orchards, gardens, and urban settings; they often seek shelter inside buildings during winter months.

Polyphagous herbivore; feeds on a wide variety of plants including fruits (apples, peaches, pears), vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, corn), and ornamental trees.

They exhibit a 'stink' response when threatened or crushed, releasing a pungent chemical. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and are known for aggregation behavior in the fall.

Risks: Major agricultural pest that causes significant damage to crops and a nuisance to homeowners when they invade buildings. Benefits: Minimal ecosystem benefits, though they serve as food for some birds and predatory insects.