What Do Stink Bug Nymphs Look Like?
While adult stink bugs have a shield-like appearance in terms of shape, young stink bugs have a quite different appearance.
Nymphs
Baby/young stink bugs, called nymphs, go through five instars before reaching adulthood.
Eggs typically hatch after three to five days, with each instar taking about a week before culminating with the final molt to become an adult.
Young stink bugs generally feed on the host plant from which they hatch, until moving on to find new food sources nearby.
Along the way, nymphs appear drastically different than their adult counterparts.
Brown Stink Bug Nymphs
The United States is home to two main species of stink bug: the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, and the green stink bug, Acrosternum hilare. Young brown marmorated stink bugs tend to appear dark around the head with a red/orange and black striped body with black stripes.
brown nymph
source: Marlin E. Rice, Iowa State University
As the insect progresses through its nymphal instars, the body turns rust-red with black spots. The shape resembles a tick, as the bug appears more oval and also has red eyes.
Green Stink Bug Nymphs
The nymphs of the green stink bug appear more oval in shape and are predominantly black in color before becoming more yellow, red, and then green as each molt moves the insect closer to adulthood. Neither species is capable of flight during nymphal development.
green nymph
source: Marlin E. Rice, Iowa State University
Stink bugs may spend the winter in the attic or walls of your house. But they usually lay their eggs on the underside of leaves.
If you have a problem with stink bugs, remember do not kill them by stepping on them. Stepping on them will release a nasty stink in your home. Instead, use your vacuum cleaner to suck them up. Since most vacuums have disposable bags nowadays, it is recommended, that you throw out the bag when you have finished the task. The bag will smell bad, so get rid of it.
Stink bugs can be persistent pests, so focus on your outdoor area to help eradicate the problem. Keep your bushes well pruned and make sure that firewood is stockpiled at least 30 feet from your house. Also, the firewood should elevated from the ground by about five to six inches.