Another home invader that we are starting to see more and more of in Illinois is the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys). This stink bug is native to Asia and was first discovered in the U.S. in the late 1990s in Pennsylvania. Since then, it has quickly spread throughout the United States. Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) will also congregate on buildings looking for somewhere to overwinter. Unlike boxelder bugs and multicolored Asian lady beetle, these insects are more than a nuisance. They will feed on a wide variety of tree fruits, vegetables, crops, and ornamentals and can cause a significant amount of damage. BMSB has the typical ‘shield’ looking body of stink bugs. As their name implies, they are marmorated (mottled) brown color. There are a few characteristics that can be used to differentiate them from our native stink bugs: the antennae have white bands on them, they have smooth ‘shoulders,’ and they have a black and white triangular pattern on their abdomens. There are several different types of insects that are commonly confused with BMSB. If you are unsure of what you have, contact your local extension office.