Does the Stink Bug Fly?

Development

• In its nymph stage, the stink bug has no wings and relies on climbing to move from plant to plant. When nymphs emerge as adults, they have full-fledged wings, ready for flight.

Wings

• Stink bugs have four wings. The top wings contain both a leathery segment, which is near to where the wings attach to the body, and a membranous segment, which is close to the end of their wings. The underwings are membranous.

Identification in Flight

• Since they have both leathery and membranous wings, the stink bug's flight creates a buzzing sound.

Seasonality

• Stink bugs tend to be active between April and September, and rarely fly when it is less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Overwintering

• As adults, stink bugs fly primarily to locate food and avoid predators. However, a number of species, such as the brown marmorated stink bug, fly on migration paths to overwinter in warmer locations than their birth area.