Hemiptera: Pentatomidae, Euschislus servus (Say) and Acrosternum hilare (Say)
Stink bugs belong to the order Hemiptera, and family Pentatomidae. Several different species are found in Virginia. Two of the most important pest species are the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), and the green stink bug, Acrosternum hilare (Say). All stink bugs have the characteristic five-sided shield shape. Brown stink bug adults are 5/8 inch long, grayish brown on top, and yellowish on the ventral surface. Green stink bugs are 5/8 inch long and largely a uniform green color. Eggs of both species are barrel shaped and laid in clusters of 20 to 70. Nymphs resemble adults in shape but are smaller and have contrasting color patterns. Stink bugs discharge a foul odor.
There are one to two generations of stink bugs each year. They typically overwinter as adults and begin to lay eggs on leaves of plants in late spring or early summer (see below). Nymphs feed throughout the summer and molt to adults in late summer.
Stink bugs often are hard to kill. Treat with a registered insecticide when damage appears or when insects appear in damaging numbers. Materials with a long-residual activity are usually more effective because adults often leave and re-enter the crop. With all insecticides, repeat as needed and carefully follow label instructions.
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, re-print, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Jewel E. Hairston, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.
May 1, 2009