How can I identify them?
Adult Brown marmorated stink bug have a body with a distinctive shield shape and are between 12–17 mm in length (Figure 11; DAWR 2015). The term ‘marmorated’ refers to the marbled or streaked colouration of the shield which is variable in colour but is often brown to red in colour with distinct black and white banding around the outer edge of the abdomen (Leskey et al. 2012; DAWR 2015). The underside of the body is pale tan or white and the legs are brown with faint white banding (DAWR 2015). The most distinguishing characteristics is the alternating white bands on the on the last two segments of the antennae that appear on adults and nymphs (Leskey et al. 2012; DAWR 2015).
Juveniles or nymphs look similar to the adults; however, they have undeveloped wings and are smaller in size from 2.4–12 mm (Figure 11; DAWR 2015). First instar nymphs are reddish and black in colour and remain with the egg mass until they molt to the second instar (Wermelinger et al. 2008; Leskey et al. 2012). Older nymphs have darker colouration and start to develop the characteristic leg banding (DAWR 2015). |
Figure 11: An adult and mature nymph Brown marmorated stink bug with significant features identified (University of California 2015).
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