The three main species of stinkbugs found in South Carolina are the southern green stinkbug, the green stinkbug, and the brown stinkbug. The green stinkbug is similar to the southern green stinkbug shown in the photo. At times each species may be found in damaging numbers, but more often they occur in mixed populations.
Damage is caused by the nymphs and adults sucking sap from the bean pods.
This sucking reduces the quality of the beans. And if the beans are small when they are attacked, they do not develop. In severe cases complete loss of beans occurs. Most stinkbugs overwinter as adults in sheltered places, such as fence rows, ditch banks, and other places where plant remnants are abundant. Adults begin laying eggs in early spring.