1. Eggs
Stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) eggs are laid in clusters of 20-30 on the underside of leaves or other vegetation in spring. The eggs are typically 1.3 to 1.5 millimeters in length and 0.9 millimeters in width.
2. Nymphs
In 3-5 days, the eggs hatch into nymphs and will molt 5 times over the course of about 4-6 weeks, becoming increasingly larger as they feed on vegetation, such as crops and garden plants.
Stink bugs thrive best in warm, humid climates, with optimal temperatures between 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit (27-32 degrees Celsius).
3. Adults
It takes 6-8 weeks for adults to reach maturity, at which stage they will mate.
4. Mating typically occurs from late June to October, in the northern hemisphere, and female stink bugs will lay eggs twice in each season. A female can lay up to 400 eggs in their lifespan of about 10 months.
5. Adults overwinter in sheltered areas outdoors near food sources and become more active when temperatures increase in the spring.
6. The life cycle then repeats in a continuous cycle until winter temperatures are low enough to kill off these pests or until they have been otherwise controlled through pest management practices such as removal by hand or chemical applications if necessary.