Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 2079071

Brown Stink Bug

Euschistus servus

Also 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
Brown Stink Bug reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Annika Lindqvist, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Annika Lindqvist · cc-by
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
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
Classification
  1. OrderHemiptera
  2. FamilyPentatomidae
  3. GenusEuschistus
  4. SpeciesEuschistus servus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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