This stink bug has a flat, green shield and wing covers, and a yellow edge with black spots towards the rear. They grow to about 3/4 of an inch long. The nymphs are highly variable in coloration. They look different in each of their 5 different stages of development (instars), before maturing to their adult, green stage. Their white eggs are arranged in clusters on leaves as shown in image 3.
This bug is seen quite often from May until the first frost at both of our nature centers. Both adults and nymphs suck the juices of a variety of plants, such as from the Common Buckthorn, shown in image 2.
Stink bugs adults and nymphs have glands on their undersides which discharge a foul-smelling fluid when disturbed. This bug is also known as Green Soldier Bug.
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