Brown marmorated stink bugs feed by piercing plant tissue and sucking out the juices. Both adults and nymphs feed on developing fruit, pods, seeds, leaves and stems. Damage may appear as pale or discoloured spots, corky or spongy areas beneath the skin, shrivelled seeds, or distorted fruit and pods. Feeding on young fruit can cause it to become misshapen as it grows.

How to Fix It

Check plants regularly, especially the undersides of leaves, and hand-pick adults and nymphs when you find them. Remove and destroy egg clusters before they hatch. In small gardens, insect netting or row covers can help keep stink bugs off susceptible crops, provided plants do not need access by pollinators. Keep weeds and plant debris under control and watch garden edges, where stink bugs may move in from surrounding vegetation. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides where possible, as they can also kill beneficial insects and may not provide good control of stink bugs.