Green stink bug
This green stink bug breeds on woodland shrubs like black cherry each spring, then moves onto soybean, corn and other crops for the rest of the season.
| Where | Farm fields, orchards and gardens |
|---|---|
| Size | 13 to 18 mm body length |
| When | March to November |
Adults are bright green, shield shaped bugs 13 to 18 mm long, with black bands across the antennae and a long, pointed spine projecting between the hind legs. This spine and the antennal color separate it from the similar southern green stink bug.
Eggs and young nymphs develop on wild host shrubs such as black cherry and elderberry at field edges in spring, and later generations move onto soybean, corn and various fruit crops, piercing pods, seeds and fruit to feed through the growing season.
Traits
Habitat
Farmland
Colour
Green, Black
Active
Day
To people
Feeds on garden and crop plants rather than people; releases a strong odor if disturbed or crushed but does not bite.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
A similarly bright green stink bug of about the same size, but with reddish bands on the antennae instead of black, and a short, rounded spine between the hind legs rather than a long pointed one.
Questions
Is the Green stink bug dangerous to people?
Feeds on garden and crop plants rather than people; releases a strong odor if disturbed or crushed but does not bite.
When can you see the Green stink bug?
The Green stink bug can be seen from March to November, by day.
Plate retouched from a photo by Michael Pirrello, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist Licence
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True bugs›Shield bugs›Chinavia
Last updated 2026-09-26. Every entry is checked against published sources.