Stink bugs are insects recognized by their distinctive ability to release a strong, unpleasant odor when threatened or disturbed. This defense mechanism deters predators and is the origin of their common name. Part of the family Pentatomidae, they are commonly found in various environments, including agricultural fields and residential areas.
The Primary Color of Stink Bugs
The most commonly encountered species, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys), typically displays a mottled brownish-gray coloration. Their bodies can also appear in shades of dark brown, grayish-brown, or olive-greenish brown, often with darker speckles. The underside of the adult brown marmorated stink bug is usually a creamy white-brown or light gray to off-white. This coloration provides effective camouflage, allowing them to blend with natural environments like tree bark and foliage.
Adult brown marmorated stink bugs measure about 14 to 17 millimeters (0.5 to 0.75 inches) in length. Their coloration can sometimes include hints of copper or bluish tints. The term “marmorated” refers to their variegated or veined markings, similar to marble.
Color Variations and Identification
While many stink bugs are brown, other species exhibit a range of colors, including vibrant green. The Green Stink Bug (Chinavia hilaris), for instance, is typically a uniform bright green, sometimes with narrow yellow, orange, or reddish edges. This species can measure between 13 and 18 millimeters (0.5 to 0.7 inches) in length. Some predatory stink bug species also display different hues, such as solid iridescent blue, green, or purple, or patterns of orange, red, or cream. The Florida predatory stink bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus) can be orange and black.
Beyond color, several specific features aid in identifying stink bugs. All adult stink bugs possess a distinctive shield-like or triangular body shape. Their antennae are segmented, typically with five segments, and can be relatively long. For the brown marmorated stink bug, a white band on the next-to-last (fourth) antennal segment is a distinguishing mark.
Many stink bugs also have alternating dark and light bands along the thin outer edge of their abdomen, which may be visible even when their wings are folded. Their legs are generally brown, sometimes with faint white mottling or banding. Nymphs, the immature stages, often have different color patterns than adults, with some starting as yellow and red, or black and red, and changing colors as they develop. Young green stink bug nymphs, for example, are often black to brown but turn green as they mature, sometimes with orange, black, and pink markings.