Stink bugs (bronze orange & harlequin): how to spot and manage them

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Shield-shaped stink bugs, like the bronze orange bug on citrus and the colourful harlequin bug, suck sap from shoots, flowers and fruit. One warning: bronze orange bugs squirt a caustic fluid that stings skin and eyes, so wear gloves and eye protection around them.

Also known as: bronze orange bug, shield bugs.

How do I spot them?

1. Shield-shaped bugs in green, orange or black, clustered on new growth.
2. Wilting shoot tips and dropped flowers or fruit.
3. A strong smell when they're disturbed.

Which plants do they target?

Growing any of these? See our guides to kale, cabbage, tomatoes and beans.

Citrus (bronze orange bug), plus tomatoes, beans and brassicas (harlequin and other stink bugs).

How do I manage them safely?

1. Hand-pick into a bucket of soapy water early in the morning when they're sluggish (gloves and eye protection for bronze orange bugs).
2. A insecticidal soap or pyrethrin spot-spray for clusters — avoid blanket spraying.
3. Keep a close eye on new growth through spring, when they build up.

For the bigger picture, see our guide to managing pests and problems safely.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Emily Sephton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.