Stink Bugs Species and Risk to Soybeans Across Different North Carolina Regions

May 13, 2026

By Dominic Reisig

Stink bugs are complex of multiple species, several of which are important pests in soybean. In recent years, these pests has become a bigger problem for soybean growers across the state. Stink bugs cause yield loss by directly feeding on pods and seeds, and indirectly by lowering seed quality and reducing germination. Stink bug feeding can also create avenue for secondary infestation by pathogens. Stink bugs in high numbers can cause delayed maturity, complicating harvest efficiency.

How many species are there?

Around 1980, only two stink bug species were reported in North Carolina soybeans. My recent study of 98 soybean fields across North Carolina found 30 different stink bug species, including 3 predatory species. A majority of those species are rare and are not economically important.

What are the most common species?

Four stink bug species dominate North Carolina soybean: 1) green stink bug (Chinavia hilaris), 2) southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula), 3) brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) and 4) brown stink bug (Euschistus servus).

Regional distribution

Geographical distribution of these species varied across the North Carolina ecoregions.

Green stink bugs occur across the state
Brown marmorated stink bug is more common in the Mountain and Piedmont regions
Southern green stink bug is more common in southern North Carolina soybean
Brown stink bug is more common in the Coastal Plain

Source : ncsu.edu

Video: Canadian Wildfire Smoke Creates a Red Sunrise Over North Carolina Sunflower field - July 2026

A sunrise unlike any other.

This peaceful morning at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina was transformed by smoke drifting south from the Canadian wildfires. As the rising sun filtered through the haze, the sky glowed in deep shades of red and orange, casting a surreal light over the blooming sunflower field. While the colors were breathtaking, they also served as a reminder of how connected our environment is. Smoke from wildfires hundreds of miles away changed the appearance of a North Carolina sunrise, creating a rare and unforgettable moment in nature.

Take a few minutes to experience this quiet morning as the sun slowly rises through the smoky haze above one of Raleigh's most beloved summer landscapes.