4 Types of Stink Bugs Found In Manitoba! (ID GUIDE)
What types of stink bugs live in Manitoba?
So you probably know that stink bugs stink, but they don’t stink all the time. Instead, they will spray their stink juice from holes all over their body when frightened as a defense mechanism or if you squish them.
And if that isn’t bad enough, some stink bugs can bite. Luckily, it will only sting for a second and is not venomous!
4 kinds of stink bugs found in Manitoba:
#1. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
- Halyomorpha Halys
Identifying Characteristics:
- Brown on top and creamy whitish brown on the bottom. But colors can vary to red, grey, light brown, copper, or black.
- Blunt head has light and dark bands on antennae and around abdomen edges with a pale ring on each leg.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug gets the award for the biggest pest in Manitoba.
This stink bug was first seen in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in September 1998. It is believed that this stink bug hitched a ride from China or Japan in a shipping container. But, unfortunately, your Amazon packages were not the only thing making their way here.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Range Map
This stink bug emerges in spring and can produce five generations annually in warm weather. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug’s habitat includes gardens, parks, and agricultural fields.
This species eats over 100 plants such as ornamental fruits and vegetable crops. They will eat the juice of the fruits and veggies. These stink bugs cause pitting and scarring of the fruit, and also introduce microorganisms that cause decay.
Then in the fall, this stink bug seeks shelter from the cold weather.
Up to hundreds will seek refuge indoors and can become a massive nuisance. They look for openings, such as gaps in vents, windows, and doors.
But don’t worry, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug doesn’t bite people or pets, and they don’t spread disease. But be careful not to pick them up or squash them because they will release their stink spray with a nasty odor.
Find out why the Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs stink.
#2. Green Burgundy Stink Bug
- Banasa dimiata
Identifying Characteristics:
- Front pale green or yellow, rear dark green or reddish-brown.
- The underside of the abdomen may have or may not have black dots along the sides.
The stink bug is common and abundant throughout Manitoba.
Green Burgundy Range Map
You will find the stink bug on many different trees and shrubs such as Dogwoods, Honeysuckles, and various fruit trees from spring through fall. In winter, the adults seek shelter in outbuildings or anywhere they can. So you may find them anywhere around your home, inside or out.
Like many other stink bugs, this species is common prey of parasitic wasps and flies.
#3. Black-and-Red Stink Bug
- Cosmopepla lintneriana
Identifying Characteristics:
- Two spots of orange or red on the lower abdomen with a black body.
- Band of orange or red across the upper abdomen.
- Also known as the Wee Harlequin Bug and Twice-Stabbed Stink Bug.
This stink bug species is widespread. You may find adults crawling among leaf litter early in the year and soon after the snow melts on warm sunny days in early spring.
Black and Red Stink Bug Range Map
This stink bug eats various plants, including milk thistle, echinacea, asparagus, oats, mint, and goldenrod. The Black and Red Stink Bug is the most common stink bug found on the milkweed plant.
#4. Mormidea Lugens
- Mormidea Lugens
Identifying Characteristics:
- Small in size bronze and black with a tannish-white V shape mark on the shield.
- Legs are yellowish-white.
It may surprise you that this stink bug can be found from the Caribbean up to Manitoba.
This stink bug prefers its habitat in grasses but can be found on many other plants.
Mormidea Lugens Range Map
This species likes to feed on Timothy Sedges and wide-leaved spiderwort.
Do you need additional help identifying stink bugs in Manitoba?
Try this field guide!
Which of these stink bugs have you seen in Manitoba?
Leave a comment below!
