Insect · GBIF taxon 2079071
Brown Stink Bug
Euschistus servusAlso known as Brown Stinkbug
Brown stink bugs are mottled grayish-brown insects recognized by their broad, shield-shaped bodies and pointed thoracic shoulders. Adults use specialized piercing-sucking mouthparts to penetrate seeds, fruits, and stems, making them prominent agricultural pests across North America. When threatened or crushed, glands on the underside of their thorax release a pungent chemical mixture that deters predators.
Shield BugAgricultural PestHerbivore
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Corn seeds
- Soybean pods
- Peaches and apples
Predators
- Birds
- Spiders
- Parasitoid wasps
ThreatsPesticide applications and natural predators
HabitatsAgricultural fields, orchards, gardens, weed patches, and woodlands
Life span1 year
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderHemiptera
- FamilyPentatomidae
- GenusEuschistus
- SpeciesEuschistus servus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Handling Caution: Avoid squeezing or crushing them to prevent the release of their foul defense odor.
- Identification Tip: Look for solid brown antennae to distinguish them from the white-ringed brown marmorated stink bug.
- Observation Timing: Search crop field edges and sunny fruit trees from late spring through early autumn.
Invasive Look-alike (c) Kimberly, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kimberly · cc-by
Family Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Michael Mulqueen · cc0
Predatory Relative (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Genus Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Dennis White · cc0
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