Stink Bug
Scientific name: Halyomorpha halys
Also known as the brown marmorated stink bug, these unwelcome insects originated in Asia and were first spotted in Pennsylvania in 2001. Named for the unpleasant smell they emit when frightened or killed, they are also an agricultural pest threatening fruit orchards which produce apples, pears, and peaches. Come fall, these insects may attempt to invade our home looking for a cozy place to spend the winter months. They can arrive in great numbers to areas of potential shelter. Even small openings will permit them to enter a home. They will then nestle in spots such as draperies, baseboards and the like. While they don’t actually hibernate, they do enter a state called diapause during which they are dormant. This metabolic state allows them to exist without food. Instead they rely on the reserves that they have stored during the late summer months. Come spring, they will go back outdoors to breed.
Diet
They feed on juices from leaves and fruits, damaging crops and plants.
Life Cycle
In April and May they mate, laying eggs throughout the summer on the underside of leaves in clusters of 20 to 30.
Ecosystem Connections
As an invasive species, these bugs have few predators and perform no useful function in our habitat.
What You Can Do
Try and eliminate small openings that allow them to enter the house. Should they get indoors, there are a few things that you can do to kill them without a lot of stink.
- vacuum them
- squirt with soapy water
- mostly fill a cup or container with soapy water. Place the lip of the container under the bottom edge of the bug to flick them in. They will fall into the solution and die.
- See the youtube video for an easy hands off method!
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