Stink bugs are a group of insects known for their distinct shield-shaped bodies and the unpleasant odor they emit when disturbed. They can be commonly found in gardens and agricultural fields, but many people might wonder what these insects actually eat.
In general, stink bugs feed on a variety of fruits, vegetables, and host plants. They have a needle-like mouthpart which allows them to pierce plant tissues and suck out the juices. This feeding habit can cause significant damage to crops, especially when stink bug populations are high.
However, it is important to note that not all stink bugs are considered pests. There are certain species, like predatory stink bugs, that actually feed on other harmful insects, making them helpful allies in maintaining a balanced ecosystem in your garden. So, knowing the difference between these species can be quite beneficial.
Understanding Stink Bugs
Physical Appearance
Stink bugs are generally oval or shield-shaped, and their head is small with 5-segmented antennae. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive species native to Asia, whereas the green stink bug is a common species found in the United States. Here’s a quick comparison of their physical features:
| Feature | Brown Marmorated Stink Bug | Green Stink Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Body Color | Brown or grayish brown | Green |
| Body Shape | Oval or shield-shaped | Oval or shield-shaped |
| Antennae Segments | 5 segments | 5 segments |
Species Variety
There are several species of stink bugs, including brown marmorated, green, and southern green stink bugs. BMSBs have an invasive nature and disrupt agricultural systems. Green stink bugs, on the other hand, are native to the United States and cause damage to crops like cotton, rice, and soybean.
Southern green stink bugs are another species that you might encounter. They are similar in appearance to green stink bugs, but they have a more aggressive impact on agricultural production.
Lifecycle and Reproduction
Stink bugs undergo incomplete metamorphosis, which includes three stages: eggs, nymphs, and adults. The eggs are typically laid in clusters on the underside of leaves, while nymphs resemble smaller versions of adult stink bugs.
- Brown marmorated stink bug eggs are light green and laid in clusters of about 20-30 eggs.
- Green stink bug eggs are larger and deposited in clusters of 20-50. They are pure white and turn darker when ready to hatch.
As nymphs develop, their skin color varies, sometimes changing from black and red to brown or green before reaching adulthood. Once adults, stink bugs become reproductive and can produce several generations in one year, depending on the climate and location.
Stink Bugs’ Diet
Agricultural Impact
Stink bugs can cause significant damage to a wide range of crops due to their feeding habits. They pierce plant tissues with their needle-like mouthparts and suck nutrients from the plants. This weakens the plants and leads to stunted growth, distorted fruits, and even crop losses. Some of the crops targets by stink bugs include corn, soybeans, sunflower, berries, peaches, pears, and even ornamental plants in your garden.
Here’s a comparison table of crops commonly affected by stink bugs:
| Crop | Level of Damage |
|---|---|
| Peanut | Moderate |
| Corn | High |
| Apples | High |
| Peaches | High |
Preference for Plants
Stink bugs are not picky eaters, but they do show some preferences when it comes to plant types. Tomatoes, beans, eggplants, sweet corn, cabbage, and various fruit trees are all potential food sources for these pests. Additionally, they like to feed on plant leaves, leaving puncture marks and sometimes damaging the vegetables in your backyard garden.
Some of the plant types stink bugs prefer:
- Tree fruits (apple, peach, pear)
- Vegetables (cabbage, eggplant, sweet corn)
- Leaves of ornamental plants
Be sure to monitor your garden and crops for signs of stink bug infestations, and take appropriate action if you notice their presence. A well-managed garden will help you enjoy your produce without the unpleasant surprises brought by stink bugs.
Stink Bugs and Home Invasion
Signs of Infestation
Stink bugs can invade your home during fall and winter in search of warmth and protection. Signs of an infestation include seeing stink bugs inside your home, as well as noticing damage to your garden, such as small holes in fruits and vegetables.
Getting Rid of Stink Bugs
There are various methods to get rid of stink bugs:
- Traps: You can use store-bought traps to catch stink bugs. Some traps use light or pheromones to attract stink bugs into sticky surfaces.
- Vacuuming: You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove stink bugs from your home. However, be aware that vacuuming may cause a temporary unpleasant smell.
- Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around areas where stink bugs congregate; this natural powder can kill stink bugs without using harsh chemicals.
- Essential Oils: Some essential oils like garlic spray, neem oil, and other natural sprays can help deter stink bugs. Apply it to your home perimeter or directly onto the stink bugs.
Pros and Cons of Methods
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Traps | Non-toxic, effective | May not attract all stink bug types |
| Vacuuming | Immediate removal | May cause smell in vacuum cleaner |
| Diatomaceous Earth | Natural, safe for pets and children | May take time to work |
| Essential Oils | Natural, smells better than pesticides | Needs regular reapplication |
Prevention and Control
Here are some tips to help prevent stink bug infestations:
- Seal Cracks: Check for cracks and crevices around your home and seal them with caulk. This will prevent stink bugs from entering your home.
- Garden Maintenance: Regularly tend to your garden, removing pests and keeping plants healthy. This will reduce the stink bugs’ food supply.
- Insecticides: For severe infestations, consider using pesticides or kaolin clay. However, keep in mind that insecticides can also harm beneficial insects, and it’s essential to use them as directed.
By following these methods, you can protect your home from stink bugs and keep them at bay during winter and spring seasons.
Bug Control Recommendation Tool
Stink Bugs in the Ecosystem
Predators of Stink Bugs
Stink bugs have several natural predators in the ecosystem. Some common predators include birds, such as swallows and sparrows, which feed on these insects. Spiders also prey on stink bugs by trapping them in their webs. Additionally, certain species of ladybugs consume stink bug eggs, helping to control their population.
- Birds: Swallows, Sparrows
- Spiders: Trap stink bugs in webs
- Ladybugs: Eat stink bug eggs
Beneficial or Harmful?
Stink bugs can be both beneficial and harmful, depending on their species. For instance, predatory stink bugs are beneficial as they feed on various insect pests, protecting your plants and garden. They attack over 100 species of insect pests and are considered a gardener’s friend.
However, some stink bugs like the brown marmorated stink bug can cause harm by feeding on a variety of plants, including weeds and grass, leading to significant crop damage. Therefore, it’s important to identify the type of stink bug you encounter to determine its impact on your ecosystem.
Here is a comparison table of beneficial and harmful stink bugs:
| Beneficial Stink Bugs | Harmful Stink Bugs |
|---|---|
| Predatory stink bugs | Brown marmorated stink bug |
| Feed on insect pests | Feed on plants |
| Protect plants & garden | Cause crop damage |
In conclusion, stink bugs play a crucial role in the ecosystem, either by being predators of harmful insects or as part of the food chain for their own predators. Ensuring a balanced ecosystem in your garden or surroundings can help maintain the balance between beneficial and harmful stink bug populations.
11 Comments. Leave new
Ok I love this site. We just moved here to Washington DC on military orders in late summer. I am a smoker so I step outside often. I would see this bug all the time well not that it is cold, they are invading my home. Ok well more like my upstairs bathrooms. It is odd cause they never fly out. But anyway. My son and I just had a encounter with one while brushing his teeth and I said enough is enough I need to find out what this ugly and loud bug is. When it flies it sounds like a mini lawn mower..
Ok so from Eric’s last post I was able to tell what that icky bug was. (and thank you V.M from Washington, D.C cause your picture helped me a lot) and anyway was able to do some more research on it.. There is a study going on right now of these things and here is the link.
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/stinkbug/about.asp
There you can put your info in and they said they will call you to confirm. Also they said if you can send a live sample in, that would be great too. Right now my bug is locked in the bathroom.. so when my husband wakes up, he will have the honors.
I am thinking though that we have really poor bathroom vents and they are coming though that way. We live on Bolling AFB (navy side, so not kept up as much) and they are housing them selves in our bathrooms. They never leave even when the door is open. I am not about to go after one of those they look like bug tanks so I make the Marine do it 😉 I just have no idea why if they worked so hard to get into my home, why wouldn’t they look for food?
Maybe someone knows why they like our bathrooms so much? Is it all my super girly smelling foo foo stuff that attracts them? LOL
Semper Gumby,
Diana
I have the same problem for the past 2 years with these stink bugs. I live in Central New Jersey, about 15 minutes out of Pennsylvania. I go out on my deck, and they sneak in through my sliders and screens. It does get quite annoying. I grab a napkin and toss them back out the door! I had a “battle” with them one day. I had 3 or 4 in the house, by the time I got the last one out, I had about 10 that came back in! They’re just annoying and I don’t want them scaring my 4 month old baby!!!
I am having the same invasion problem in Washington state. Looks like the same bug from the picture. Also they are entering my upstairs bathrooms. I looked at the link above but could not find any information on notifying the study but I would like someone involved to know that these critters have made it over to the west coast!
Awww… I think so-called “stink” bugs are often among the prettiest & most interesting of bugs, with so many color variations and cool shape. That the babies are so cute just adds to their beauty. A rose by any other name… :^D
Found one in Scotland!!! Either the recent tail of a tornado brought it here, or it came in with my shopping! Wow.
I lived in the USA for 17 years and they were a pest there, imported from Japan. They feed on fruit. They are clumsy Flyers and actually cause a lot of annoying sounds in the room that way, banging against the walls and circling lights. In some parts of the US they appear in swarms and cover whole housewalls cause they multiply rather fast. Di not crush them…thats when they emit their stink, which somewhat resembles a Skunk, and this stink will attract more stinkbugs to come to the place….
Thanks for drawing our attention to this old posting of what appears to be the invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.
No, it is the — much more likely in Europe — Mottled Shieldbug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa):
https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Pentatomidae/rhaphigaster_nebulosa.html
Not everything is a BMSB. Not everything that is in the US is everywhere else, and there is more to the world than just the US. Also, not everything with banded antennae is BMSB.
This is completely amazing – the picture I took today looks exactly the same. I also live in Johannesburg (Kelland), and I am wondering whether these critters are native or in need of destruction.
I live in alberta canada..found a stink bug I believe. Also found a black and red corpse eating bug the other day