Boxelder bugs are roughly the same size as stink bugs, but their black and orange coloration sets them apart. Measuring three-quarters of an inch or more, assassin bugs and western conifer seed bugs are typically larger.
If you spot slow-moving, brown insects inside during fall through spring, they might be stink bugs.īrown marmorated stink bugs are about the size of a dime at a little over a half-inch long. As temperatures start to drop, stink bugs often enter buildings to find a warm place to overwinter. This image of a stink bug at the edge of a snowy yard illustrates their habit of moving indoors to avoid cold weather. Assassin bugs and western conifer seed bugs have elongated heads, while boxelder bugs have bright red eyes.
This feature helps to separate them from other pests. Stink bugs make a loud buzzing sound as they fly and frequently bump into people and objects.Īdult stink bugs have small, oval heads and dark, round eyes. This pest has thick outer wings that cover a second set of wings just visible at the end of its abdomen. The noisy, erratic flight of a stink bug makes them hard to ignore in homes or businesses. Assassin bugs and western conifer seed bugs feature similar markings on their bellies, but neither of these pests has banded antennae. These insects have light and dark stripes on the edges of their lower abdomens and light bands on their antennae. When stink bugs are threatened or crushed, they release a unique, foul odor that distinguishes them from other pest species.Ī few markings can aid in stink bug identification. Stink bugs get their name from special glands on their backs and between the first and second pairs of legs on their pale undersides. Their blotchy, light and dark brown coloring and broad, shield-like shape let them blend in with tree bark and leaves. The stink bug pictures below can help you identify a pest issue for more effective control.īrown marmorated stink bugs, the most common stink bug species in the area, are agricultural pests. Specific trees near your building may attract other lookalikes, such as western conifer seed bugs and boxelder bugs. For example, assassin bugs look like stink bugs but feed on blood. Many pests similar to stink bugs wander into homes for a variety of reasons. Their mottled, brown bodies offer camouflage in the garden but make them easy to spot crawling on walls or buzzing around lights inside. During cooler months, these plant pests often take shelter indoors. While several types of stink bugs live in the Mid-Atlantic, rough, brown, and brown marmorated stink bugs are common.