Stink bugs or the Halymorpha halys are an invasive species that was accidentally introduced to Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1996 from shipping containers from China. Invasive species are organisms that don’t originate in the area and are introduced to other people typically by transportation of goods between countries. The species has since been introduced to Virginia with the first known introduction in 2004 followed by another in 2010. They are ¾ inch long insects with white bands on their legs and antennae and white and black spots on their abdomen.  They are grayish-brown in color and have hard shell, shield-like backs. 

Stink bugs have glands located on the underside of their abdomens and thorax. Stink bugs prefer warmer climates. Stink bugs eat vegetables and fruits and can sometimes feed on soybeans and corn. They don’t lay their eggs inside of homes or structures, but instead lay their eggs outside on the underside of leaves. Female stink bugs lay 30-100 eggs at a given time and 300 eggs in a single season. They arrange them on the leaves in dozens of tight clusters and neat rows. The eggs are barrel-shaped and can vary in color but are typically light green. Stink bugs reproduce various times throughout the year and are dormant during the winter and active during the springtime.