What is the plain brown stink bug in my garden?

Often the brown stink bug, grayish-yellow with rounded shoulders.

Where do they spend the winter?

Under boards, weeds, stones and bark near fields.

Adults are shield-shaped, 10 to 15 mm long, grayish-yellow with dark punctures and a pinkish underside.^[1]
The fourth and fifth antenna segments are darker, and the shoulders are rounded.^[1]

Look-alike	How to tell them apart
Brown marmorated stink bug	Brown stink bugs have rounded shoulders, darker fourth and fifth antenna segments and a pinkish underside.^[1]

It occurs across southern Canada and much of North America, active much of the year in parts of the southern U.S.^[1]

US map: public records from 47 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Adults overwinter under boards, dead weeds, stones and bark, becoming active when spring temperatures pass about 70 degrees F.^[1]

The first generation usually develops on wild plants, the second on cultivated crops.^[1]

It feeds on stems, leaves, pods and fruit, injecting substances that can make flowers or seeds abort; it's a pest of corn, soybean and other crops.^[1]

It feeds on plants; UF/IFAS mentions no risk to people.^[1]

Adults gather along field and garden edges, so check borders first.^[1]

Eggs and nymphs suffer high mortality from parasites, predators and disease.^[1]

What is the plain brown stink bug in my garden?: Often the brown stink bug, grayish-yellow with rounded shoulders.^[1]
Where do they spend the winter?: Under boards, weeds, stones and bark near fields.^[1]

University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Brown Stink Bug, Euschistus servus (EENY-433).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN796 (accessed 2026-10-06)
iNaturalist, “Euschistus servus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/146627 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.