Bug Identifier
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)
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.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.