With the cooler weather quickly closing in, it seems only proper to talk about one of the most prevalent fall pests. Stink bugs are mostly known for their smell, and rightfully so, but what else is there to possibly learn about them? Well, let’s find out!
1. Stink bugs have almost conquered North America
You might not believe it, but there are more than 4,500 species of stink bugs! About 200 of those species live in North America. Officially, these stinky pests have successfully invaded 41 states, as well as several Canadian provinces. They range from as far west as California to as far east as New England! This incredible range makes the next fact seem almost impossible.
2. Stink bugs are here by accident
As implausible as it sounds, stink bugs are, in fact, in North America by complete accident. What’s more, they have only been here for about 22 years! Stink bugs are native to Asia, but they were introduced to North America in the late 1990’s, sometime around 1998. Some stink bugs stowed away inside a shipping crate full of fruit that was delivered to Pennsylvania. Since then, their populations have only grown and expanded. Evidently, they weren’t labeled an invasive species for nothing!
3. Are stink bugs beetles?
Although some people call them “stink beetles,” true stink bugs are not beetles. They belong to the order Hemiptera (true bugs) and the family Pentatomidae, which contains roughly 5 000 species of odor‑producing insects. Beetles (order Coleoptera) have hardened wing covers and do not produce the same defensive smell. In fact, “stink beetles” are a different group of insects and are not the same as brown marmorated or kudzu stink bugs. Understanding that stink bugs are true bugs, not beetles, helps explain why their bodies and life cycle differ from beetles and why they emit their tell‑tale odor.
4. The origin of the stink bugs’ smell is unexpected
Probably the one thing that everyone knows about stink bugs is that, well… they stink! But do you know exactly why they stink? Their stink arises when they secrete a specific liquid from pores on their abdomens. Stink bugs secrete their smell manually whenever they need to. The smell itself is made up of the trans-2-octenal and trans-2-decenal chemical compounds. Strangely enough, these two chemical compounds are often used in the food industry (separately from one another, of course) to add flavor and fragrance to foods! When combined, however, they create a smell so foul it will keep almost all predators away.
5. Predators don’t like stink bugs
Remarkably, stink bugs actually have no natural predators in the Unites States. This is due to their off-putting stench, partnered with the fact that they are not native to the U.S. Although they do not have any natural predators, there are a few insects, birds, and reptiles that have been known to eat a stink bug here and there. There is also a species of parasitic wasps that attack stink bug eggs and nymphs. Because stink bugs have so few predators to worry about, though, their populations are never decreased by said predators. Clearly, their stench is quite effective for their survival!
6. Stink bugs have many uses for their stench
When it comes to stink bugs, not all smells are created equal. Indeed, stink bugs will use different smells for different reasons! Of course, the main use for their odor is to ward off predators. Whenever they are scared or threatened, they release their signature stench. They will release different odors when looking for a mate, or when they find a place to spend the winter and want to let their pals know. Squishing a stink bug will also cause an odor. Unlike the odor they manually secrete to attract others, though, the smell produced from killing a stink bug will not draw in new stink bugs.
7. Why stink bugs leave stains
The same glands that produce a stink bug’s odor also secrete a brownish chemical onto the insect’s exoskeleton. This fluid evaporates quickly, creating the familiar smell, but it can stain skin or fabrics if you crush or handle the bug. The smell is a defensive mechanism designed to deter predators. To avoid stains, gently sweep or vacuum live bugs into a container for outdoor release rather than smashing them. If a stain occurs, wash the affected surface promptly with soap and water.
8. Stink bugs don’t have mouths
That’s right- no mouths! You may be asking, “then how do they eat?” Well, they may not have mouths like you and I, but they do have mouthparts. Piercing and sucking mouthparts, to be exact, which means they cannot bite or chew. Stink bugs use their mouthparts to pierce into their food and suck out the juices. Most species feed on fruits, which is much less gross than their non-vegetarian counterparts, who use their pointy mouthparts to feed on other insects. Yuck!
9. Stink bugs talk using vibrations
Since they don’t have mouths to make noise with, stink bugs have to communicate with each other in a different way, and it’s actually a pretty cool technique. They move their abdomens in certain ways to vibrate the plant they’re standing on. They will even travel to specific types of plants, like beans, that transmit their vibrations more efficiently. Stink bugs will actually use these vibrations in their mating rituals, which is why choosing the right plant is important. Who knew stink bugs were actually pretty smart?
10. Stink bugs hibernate (sort of)
During cold weather, stink bugs enter a state of inactivity. Technically, this state is called “diapause,” and it is very similar to hibernation. While in a state of diapause, stink bugs can survive for long periods of time without eating or drinking. They are able to survive these long periods because their body temperatures drop significantly and their metabolisms all but stop. The one thing that sets diapause apart from hibernation is that diapause does not last through the winter. Luckily, diapause prevents stink bugs from reproducing, which means they will not lay eggs in your home. In fact, they are not even capable of reproducing until the weather warms up in early spring!
11. Stink bugs lay a lot of eggs
Extraordinarily, female stink bugs are capable of laying up to 400 eggs during their lifetimes! Considering stink bugs only live for about six to eight months, that’s a remarkable amount. Typically, females will lay between 20 and 30 eggs at a time in tightly-grouped clusters. Eggs hatch within 4 to 5 days, and the newly hatched bugs will develop into fully-grown adults in as few as 40 to 60 days! Can you imagine growing up that quickly?
12. Stink bug life cycle and longevity
Stink bugs undergo incomplete metamorphosis: females deposit eggs in clusters on plant stems and leaves; nymphs hatch and pass through five instars before reaching adulthood. Adult brown marmorated stink bugs live about six to eight months, while kudzu bugs live only six to twelve weeks. Each adult female may lay up to 400 eggs in her lifetime. Warm, moist climates can lengthen the adult’s lifespan, while cooler or drier conditions shorten it. Understanding this life cycle explains why populations surge in summer and why a single female can produce so many offspring.
13. Not all stink bugs are bad
It’s true! While most stink bug species are damaging to crops and gardens, there are actually some species that are agriculturally beneficial. The two most common species of beneficial stink bugs that live in the United States are the spined soldier bug and the two-spotted stink bug. Instead of feeding on crops like many of their fellow stink bug species, they actually feed on other agricultural pests, like caterpillars, Colorado potato weevils, and other damaging insects. They may be stinky, but these particular species are definitely good to have around our crops and gardens!
For being such bothersome pests, stink bugs sure are interesting! Despite how fascinating they are, though, they still are not house guests or belong in our businesses. If you have a few too many stink bugs on your property, give Excel a call today and we’ll send an expert your way.
14. Black and yellow mud‑dauber: a wasp, not a stink bug
If you’ve ever seen a black insect with yellow legs and assumed it was a stink bug, you may have spotted the yellow‑legged mud‑dauber wasp (Sceliphron caementarium). This solitary parasitoid wasp, also known as the black‑and‑yellow mud dauber, has a black body with yellow legs and antennae. Female mud daubers collect mud to build nests of up to 25 cylindrical cells in sheltered spots such as under bridges, barns, eaves or inside garages. Each cell contains one egg and several paralyzed spiders (crab spiders, orb‑weavers, jumping spiders) as food for the developing larva. The nest is sealed with a thick mud plug and may be the size of a human fist. Mud daubers are non‑aggressive and actually help control spider populations, so if you see one, consider leaving it alone. They are not related to stink bugs and pose little risk to humans.
15. More fun facts about stink bugs
- Introduced invaders: Brown marmorated stink bugs are native to Asia and were accidentally introduced to the U.S. in 1998; they have since spread across almost every state.
- No biting or stinging: These bugs cannot bite or sting humans. Their mouthparts resemble a needle designed to pierce plant tissue; they may scratch skin with their rough exoskeleton, but they don’t bite.
- Few natural predators: Stink bugs have few natural enemies because most birds, insects and reptiles find their taste and smell unpalatable. Eggs and nymphs may be parasitised, but adult stink bugs are rarely eaten in numbers that reduce populations.
- Multiple scents: Besides emitting a foul odour when threatened or crushed, stink bugs also produce a pheromone to attract other stink bugs to winter shelter sites.
- Fall invaders: Stink bugs are most noticeable in homes during fall, when they squeeze through cracks and crevices to escape cold weather. They hibernate (in diapause) without reproducing until spring. Population levels fluctuate by year and location, largely depending on climate.
Frequently asked questions on Stink Bugs:
What is the lifespan of a stink bug without food?
The lifespan of a stink bug without food can vary, but they generally survive for about a week without sustenance.
Do stink bugs drink water?
Yes, stink bugs consume water, usually from plant surfaces or small droplets.
Do stink bugs sleep?
Stink bugs enter a resting state at night, which is similar to sleep in other insects.
For more information about stink bugs check our resource page.
