Can they be confused with other species?
There are many species of stink bugs, also known as shield bugs, that have similar characteristics to the Brown marmorated stink bug. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has put together a Quick image reference guide (Figure 12), which compares 12 native Australian stink bugs and an exotic stink bug species with the Brown marmorated stink bug.
Figure 12: Quick Image Identification guide for species similar to the Brown marmorated stink bug (DAWR 2015). Scale bar = 2mm. (A) Oncocoris geniculatus – Native; (B) Brown shield bug (Dictyotus caenosus) – Native; (C) Brown stink bug (Oncocoris apicalis) – Native; (D) Small brown stink bug (Caystrus pallidolimbatus) – Native; (E) Golden brown shield bug (Anchises parvulus) – Native; (F) Glossy shield bug (Cermatulus nasalis) – Native; (G) Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) - Exotic ; (H) Gum tree shield bug (Poecilometis strigatus) – Native; (I) Gum tree shield bug (Theseus modestus) – Native; (J) Zebra shield bug (Bathrus variegatus) - Native ; (K) Gum tree shield bug (Omyta centrolineata) – Native; (L) Brown long-headed shield bug (Austromalaya reticulate) – Native; (M) Acacia shield bug (Alcaeus varicornis) – Native; and (N) Yellow spotted stink bug (Erthesina fullo) – Exotic (DAWR 2015).
In addition to the yellow spotted stink bug above (Label N), there are many other species that are similar to the Brown marmorated stink bug that are not present in Australia. Below are a few examples of stink bugs that are native to North America (Figure 13). These species should be reported on the exotic plant pest hotline is you find them on your property (See What can I do if I find one?).
Figure 13: Stink bugs that are similar to the Brown marmorated stink bug (a) Rough stink bug (Brochymena quadripustulata) native to the USA and Canada, (b) the Dusky stink bug (Euschistus tristigmus) which is native to the USA and (c) the Spined soldier bug (Podisus maculiventris) is a predator stink bug that native to the USA but is used in other countries as a biological control (Paiero et al. 2013; USDA 2014; Iowa State University 2015).