
Community identification
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)
Halyomorpha halys
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Pentatomidae
- Size
- 1.7 cm (0.67 inches) long and wide, with a shield-shaped body.
Natural Habitat
Agricultural fields, orchards, gardens, and urban settings; often seek shelter inside man-made structures during winter.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous: feeds on over 100 species of plants, including fruits (apples, peaches), vegetables, and ornamental plants.
Behavior Patterns
Aggregates in large numbers on buildings in autumn; releases a defensive odor when disturbed; undergoes incomplete metamorphosis from nymph to adult (nymphs shown in image).
Risks & Benefits
Major agricultural pest causing damage to crops; nuisance pest to humans when invading homes; does not bite or sting but may cause skin irritation in some people.