The first instar ingests only water. The 2nd through the 5th instar nymphs feed primarily on seeds. Total time spend as a nymph is between 15 and 28 days. After becoming an adult, females start depositing eggs in about 3 to 4 days. Adult longevity has been observed to average about 50 days.
Adults remain active in host plants until a host becomes senescent or cool weather arrives.
Damage and Symptoms Adults and nymphs have piercing-sucking mouthparts. It is called a feeding sheath. The feeding sheath is the only external evidence that feeding by rice stink bugs has occurred on a grain. Rice stink bugs can successfully feed on kernels from shortly after fertilization until the kernel is in the soft dough stage. The stage of kernel development when fed upon determines the amount and type of damage.