Description of the brown marmorated stink bug
Like many other stink bugs, the BMSB also has a shield-shaped body. Adults are usually about 17mm (about half an inch) long and are various shades of brown. The most distinguishing feature of this insect is the banding on their antennae. The banding consists of white bands and darker bands. Another distinguishing feature present on the insect is the marbled pattern along the sides of its body. The six legs may also show the alternation of white and dark bands. These beetles are known as stink bugs because they release an odor when they feel disturbed.
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Climate
These insects originally thrived in warmer climates around Asia. The warmer climate gives them a higher amount of generations each year. For example, in Southern China, Halyomorpha halys produce about 5 new generations a year. In Pennsylvania, the species only produce about one generation per year because it is not nearly as warm as Southern China. Not only does climate affect the amount of generations formed each year, but it also affects how long each nymphal stage lasts.
Life cycle
Most of the mating for this species occurs two weeks into Spring, after spending the winter hiding out in our homes and other resting places. Once mating begins, females are able to lay their egg masses almost weekly until the mating season is over. This allows the females to lay up to 400 eggs in her lifetime. Since the eggs are laid almost weekly, various nymphal stages can be viewed on a single plant.
The life cycle for the Halyomorpha halys is a little more complex than you would imagine. The species can go through five different nymphal stages. These stages vary in length depending on the temperature and climate that they live in. The eggs that are laid are usually white, light yellow, or pale green colored. They are not shaped like chicken eggs, but are rather barrel-shaped and are laid on the underside of a leaf. The eggs are connected side-by-side and are usually in masses containing about 25 eggs. The eggs are extremely small, approximately 1 mm each.
The nymphs climb out of the eggs within four to five days. The first instar is approximately 2.4mm but can be 12mm by the time it reaches the fifth nymphal stage. The bodies of the newly arrived nymphs are of a clear color and soon become an orange or red color. New nymphs usually stay around their egg mass. Through each stage, the nymphs shed their outer skin to progress through each new stage. The eyes are usually a red color during this time and wings are not fully developed. With each progressive stage, the nymph continues to gain characteristics of an adult BMSB. The adult stage is reached once the final molt is shed. Once the adult stage is reached, the stink beetles are able to fly and drop around to avoid disturbance. Although there is not an exact amount of time before the nymph becomes sexually mature, studies done in the laboratory indicate that adults are sexually mature two weeks after their final molt.
The life cycle of the brown marmorated stink beetle can be viewed through the slideshow provided below:
The life cycle for the Halyomorpha halys is a little more complex than you would imagine. The species can go through five different nymphal stages. These stages vary in length depending on the temperature and climate that they live in. The eggs that are laid are usually white, light yellow, or pale green colored. They are not shaped like chicken eggs, but are rather barrel-shaped and are laid on the underside of a leaf. The eggs are connected side-by-side and are usually in masses containing about 25 eggs. The eggs are extremely small, approximately 1 mm each.
The nymphs climb out of the eggs within four to five days. The first instar is approximately 2.4mm but can be 12mm by the time it reaches the fifth nymphal stage. The bodies of the newly arrived nymphs are of a clear color and soon become an orange or red color. New nymphs usually stay around their egg mass. Through each stage, the nymphs shed their outer skin to progress through each new stage. The eyes are usually a red color during this time and wings are not fully developed. With each progressive stage, the nymph continues to gain characteristics of an adult BMSB. The adult stage is reached once the final molt is shed. Once the adult stage is reached, the stink beetles are able to fly and drop around to avoid disturbance. Although there is not an exact amount of time before the nymph becomes sexually mature, studies done in the laboratory indicate that adults are sexually mature two weeks after their final molt.
The life cycle of the brown marmorated stink beetle can be viewed through the slideshow provided below: