Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Insect

Stink Bug

Stink bugs are shield-shaped insects in the family Pentatomidae, known for releasing a strong odour when disturbed or crushed.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Stink bugs are shield-shaped insects in the family Pentatomidae, known for releasing a strong odour when disturbed. They are generally a nuisance to people rather than a direct health threat.

What it is

Stink bugs are true bugs with a distinctive shield-shaped body and piercing-sucking mouthparts. Adults are often brown or mottled grey-brown, and the family includes both plant-feeding and predatory species.

Key details

Their name comes from the foul-smelling chemicals released from scent glands when threatened or crushed. Most stink bugs feed on plants—fruits, seeds, stems, and leaves—making them agricultural pests. They are commonly found in gardens, orchards, and farms, and some species enter buildings in cooler months.

Why it matters

The brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive species from Asia, has spread into parts of Canada. It damages fruit and vegetable crops and can invade homes in large numbers. While not dangerous to humans, stink bugs are a significant nuisance and can cause economic losses for growers.

In short

  • Stink bugs are true bugs, not beetles or other insects.
  • They release a strong, unpleasant odour when disturbed.
  • Many species are agricultural pests that damage crops.
  • The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species in Canada.
Canadian angle

Stink bugs are relevant in Canada because several species occur in North America and the brown marmorated stink bug has spread into parts of Canada, where it can affect gardens, orchards, and field crops.

Quick questions

What are stink bugs?
Stink bugs are shield-shaped insects in the family Pentatomidae. Many species feed on plants, while some eat other insects.
Are stink bugs dangerous?
Stink bugs are generally not dangerous to people and are not known to bite or sting humans. Their main impact is nuisance, odour, and crop damage.
Stink bug vs brown marmorated?
“Stink bug” is the general name for insects in the family Pentatomidae, while the brown marmorated stink bug is one specific invasive species from Asia that is a major agricultural pest.

Sources

  1. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources — https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/PESTS/stinkbug.html
    Supports: Stink bugs are shield-shaped insects and their common name comes from unpleasant odours they release when disturbed.
  2. National Pest Management Association — https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-articles/stink-bugs-101/
    Supports: Brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species; stink bugs release odour when disturbed or crushed; they are not known to bite humans and can be a nuisance.
  3. University of Massachusetts Amherst — https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/fact-sheets/pdf/stink_bug_fact_sheet_kassoy_pinero.pdf
    Supports: Scent glands are located on the thorax and release a foul smell when the insect is agitated or crushed.
  4. The Ohio State University — https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-90
    Supports: Brown marmorated stink bug is an introduced pest from East Asia that feeds on many plants and invades buildings in autumn.
  5. University of Connecticut Extension — https://extension.uconn.edu/publication/stink-bugs/
    Supports: Stink bugs are shield-shaped true bugs; some are predatory; brown marmorated stink bug is invasive and can damage fruit crops.