The stink bug is a parasitic insect that feeds on many kinds of plants, both ornamental and vegetable crops. There are several types: the green stink bug, native to the area; the Asian stink bug; and the red-and-black stink bug, which mainly attacks cabbages.
The adult green stink bug is a fairly large, shield-shaped insect with a bright green color. In its juvenile stage, called a nymph, it looks completely different: smaller, less angular, black with white dots, but equally damaging.
The Asian stink bug looks very similar to the green stink bug, but it is a dull brown color. The cabbage stink bug is much smaller than the others, red with black markings, and mainly attacks cabbage leaves.
The green and Asian stink bugs feed on leaves and fruits by piercing them and causing wounds that can lead to fungal diseases and later tissue death.
Their favorite crop is tomato, which they damage visibly by ruining the plants and making the fruits inedible. They also like basil and mustard, and can be found on legumes, eggplants, and peppers as well. They attack ornamental plants too, without any particular preference.
July and August are the months when they are most present.