Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea)

246 Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea)

4.2 Taxonomy and Identification

There has been considerable confusion surrounding the systematics of Halyomorpha halys (Rider et al.
2002). First, Distant (1880, 1893, 1899) considered this taxon to be a junior synonym of H. picus ( F.).
Later, it was determined that this species was different from H. picus, but various authors used either
H. brevis (Walker) or H. remota (Walker) as the proper name. Josifov and Kerzher (1978) determined
that there was only one species of Halyomorpha occurring in Japan, Korea, and eastern China, and that
H. halys (Stål) actually had priority. All citations pertaining to Halyomorpha species from these locali-
ties should be referred to H. halys (David A. Rider, personal communication). Besides its common name,
the brown marmorated stink bug, other names such as the yellow-brown stink bug, the stinkwood stink
bug, and the pear bug have been used in Asia.
Halyomorpha halys is relatively large as adults, ranging from 12 to 17 millimeters (mm) in length and
7 to 10 mm in width (Stål 1855) with females being larger than males (Figure 4.1D). They are variable
in color with the hemelytra mottled (marmorated) brown in color and the antennae and legs marked with
alternating light and dark banding (Hoebeke and Carter 2003). Adults also have exposed alternating light
and dark bands along the connexival (outer) margin of the abdomen; the sternal surface is light brown in
color and can have a reddish to pinkish hue depending on food source.
Eggs are laid in masses of 20 to 30 eggs (Hoebeke and Carter 2003, Nielsen et al. 2008a) on the under-
sides of host leaves. Following emergence of the nymphs from the eggs, t-shaped, blackish egg bursters
are visible.
Halyomorpha halys has five nymphal instars. First instars are ≈2.4 mm in length, red-orange and black
in color, and typically found on or around the egg mass (Hoebeke and Carter 2003, Nielsen et al. 2008a)
(Figure 4.1A). Second instars are ≈3.7 mm in length, mostly black with light and dark banding on the
antennae and legs. As individuals proceed through subsequent instars they increase in size with more
pronounced light and dark banding on the antennae and legs (third instar, Figure 4.1B). This banding is
most pronounced in the fifth instar (Figure 4.1C). Wing pads are easily visible in the third, fourth and
fifth instars. In addition, in the fifth instar, the presence of a medial suture on the ventral portion of ninth
abdominal segment can be used to distinguish females.

China Japan

Korea

Myanmar Vietnam

FIGURE 4.2 Distribution of Halyomorpha halys in Asia.