Integrated Pest Management
Stink Bugs
Acrosternum; Brochymena; Chlorochroa; Eustichus
Green stink bug (Vik Nanda, Wikimedia Commons)
Consperse stink bug (Steven Valley, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org)
Stink bug nymphs (Herb Pilcher, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org)
Pest Description
- adults: ~ 1/2 – 5/8 inch long; brown to green; shield-shaped
- nymphs: smaller with variable markings and coloration
- straw-like mouthparts used for sucking
- eggs: typically round to barrel-shaped and laid in clusters on leaves
Host Plants, Diet & Damage
- broad host range: ornamentals, fruits, vegetables, crops, weeds, etc.
- rough stink bugs are beneficial predators; occasionally minor feeding on leaves
- damage to ornamentals is usually negligible
- stipple leaves causing yellow spotting
- bud abortion, cat-facing/pitting on fruits and deformation of vegetables
- can emit an unpleasant odor
Biology, Life Cycle & Damaging Life Stage
- overwinter as adults in hidden places outdoors (under bark, leaf debris, wood piles, etc.)
- adults become active with warming temperatures in the spring
- one to many generations per year
- immatures and adults are the damaging stages
IPM Recommendations
- Manage trees to improve or maintain health.
- Monitor ornamentals and other plants starting in April.
- Stink bug damage to ornamentals can be tolerated.
- Apply an insecticide (pyrethroid) to ornamentals when adults or nymphs are present.