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Anjana Duwal, Gambino, Christine, Carlton, Christopher E.
Dusky and brown stink bugs are the two most common members of the genus Euchistus from Louisiana. Adults vary from dark brown to tan, with scattered darker spots and a prominent triangular scutellum located at the middle of the upper surface of the body. The membranous parts of the adult wings, visible at the rear of the body in resting adults, are darker than the rest of the body. Adults are usually 10 mm to 15 mm in length. The pronotum (area immediately behind the head) is rounded on the sides. The undersurface varies from light tan to yellowish brown. The antennae are five-segmented. The visible mouth parts form a long beak that is folded beneath the body except when extended during feeding.
Eggs are cylindrical, yellowish brown and laid in clusters on the undersides of leaves. Nymphs are oval and similar in appearance to adults. Nymphs lack wings in the early stages (instars) and form, short wing buds in the last growth stage. The early instars possess a dark brown head and pronotum, with a light brown abdomen marked by dark spots down the midline. Coloration varies from greenish brown to yellowish brown in later instars.
Approximately 20 species of the stink bug genus Euschistus are known in the United States, with more than 70 species described worldwide. Six species have been recorded in Louisiana. The dusky and brown stink bugs are the most encountered and most likely to be cited as crop pests. Distinguishing these two species requires examination of the underside of the abdomen. An insect diagnostician or taxonomist should be consulted in cases where the identity of the species is in doubt. The most authoritative taxonomic treatment of the genus Euschistus for the Western Hemisphere was written by L.H. Rolston (1922-2008), a former LSU professor of entomology.
Dusky and brown stink bugs overwinter as adults. They become active during spring when the temperature is above 70 F. First generation stink bugs feed on a wide variety of plants and later generations infest agricultural crops. Nymphs hatch from eggs in about five days and undergo five growth stages (instars) before molting into adults. Nymphal development requires around a month. Brown and dusky stink bugs can complete four to five generations per year in Louisiana, fewer in northern parts of the state.
Herbivorous stink bugs feed by inserting the elongate beak into plant tissue and injecting salivary secretions into the plants. This produces a slurry of partially digested plant cells and fluids that is imbibed by the insect using suction created by powerful muscles in the head.
Dusky and brown stink bugs are found across the U.S. except for arid habitats in the West. Both adults and nymphs feed on the foliage, stem and fruit of a wide variety of host plants including many agricultural crops such as soybeans, corn, sorghum, snap beans, cotton, peas, okra and other crops. Stink bug infestations can reduce yield through seedling injury, decreased stem and seed production, and delayed crop maturity.
Dusky and brown stink bugs are monitored by direct observation, beat cloths and sweeping. Cultural control strategies include planting trap crops such as triticale, buckwheat, sorghum, millet and sunflower. These plantings can help concentrate stink bug populations and reduce pressure on the primary crop.
A variety of predators and parasitoids attack stink bugs, although their effectiveness can be reduced by improper or overuse of pesticides. Predators of dusky and brown stink bug include red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), big-eyed bug (Geocoris sp.), minute pirate bug (Orius sp.), multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis), seven-spotted lady beetle (Coccinella septempunctata), convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens), pink lady beetle (Coleomegilla maculata), spined soldier bug (Podisus sp.), nabids (Nabidae), reduviids (Reduviidae), and spiders such as lynx spiders (Oxyopidae), jumping spiders (Salticidae), crab spiders (Thomisidae) and others. Parasitoids wasps of brown stink bugs include several members of the family Scelionidae and tachinid flies, particularly members of the genus Trichopoda.
Effective and environmentally responsible chemical control requires regular monitoring and scouting to determine when pesticide applications are necessary. The action threshold for stink bugs in Louisiana soybean, with the exception of red-banded stink bug, is nine insects per 25 sweeps or one insect per 0.3 m. Insecticides labeled for dusky and brown stink bug management include organophosphates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids and carbamates. Common commercial products used in Louisiana include Orthene (Acephate 90), Baythroid XL, Brigade, Leverage 360, Hero, Mustang Max/Respect, methyl parathion and cyfluthrin. For detailed and up to date recommendations, consult the latest LSU AgCenter Insect Management Guide.
Baldwin, J., J.A. Davis, and B. Leonard. 2011. Control soybean insect pests. LSU AgCenter Pub. 2211, 12 pp. (accessed 30 January 2026).
Gomez, C., R.F. Mizell, and A.C. Hodges. 2018. Brown stink bug. Featured Creatures. University of Florida Entomology and Nematology. (accessed 29 March 2024).
LSU AgCenter. 2026. Louisiana Field Crops Insect Management Guide. (accessed 12 March 2026).
Rolston, L.H. 1974. Revision of the genus Euschistus in Middle America (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae, Pentatomini). Entomologica Americana 48:1-102
Ruberson, J.R., D.M. Olson, M.D. Thompson, R.S. Ottens, M.D. Toews, S. Jones, and W.A. Mills. 2009. Importance of natural enemies for stink bug control. Cotton Research and Extension Report University of Georgia Athens Ga. (accessed 30 January 2026).
Temple, J.H., J.A. Davis, S. Micinski, J.T. Hardke, P. Price, and B.R. Leonard. 2013. Species composition and seasonal abundance of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Louisiana soybean. Community and Ecosystem Ecology 42: 648-657.
Tillman, G. 2008. Populations of stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) and their Natural Enemies in Peanuts. Journal of Entomological Science 43:191–207.
Villegas, J. 2023. Stink bug control in Louisiana soybean fields. (accessed 30 January 2026).
Contact Us: For advice about pest identification or diagnosis, contact the LSU AgCenter Department of Entomology.
Adult brown stink bug Euschistus servus. Photo by Tom Musson, iNaturalist, Creative Commons 4.0
Brown stink bug, Euschistus servus, nymph. Photo by Christine Baird, iNaturalist, Creative Commons 4.0
P4050
4/27/26
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