Stink bugs are insects that are characterized as both "large, oval-shaped insects" and "shield-shaped insects". They are almost two centimeters long with a shield-like shape, and a grayish speckled coating. Stink bugs release foul-smelling chemicals to avoid predators, and the smell has often been compared to strong herbs and spices like cilantro and coriander. The brown marmorated stink bug is a serious agricultural pest that can cause widespread damage to fruit and vegetable crops. They feed on a wide array of plants including apples, apricots, Asian pears, cherries, corn, grapes, lima beans, peaches, peppers, tomatoes, and soybeans. Stink bugs use their stylets to pierce the plant tissue to extract the plant fluids. This feeding results in the formation of dimpled or necrotic areas on the outer surface of fruits, leaf stippling, seed loss, and possible transmission of plant pathogens. Stink bugs are not known to bite humans or damage property, but caution should be used when handling them to avoid a release of their unpleasant odor. Some species can actually spray the chemical several inches. Stink bugs are a native of Asia and were accidentally introduced to the United States sometime in the late 1990s. They are now found throughout the US and have become a problem for farmers and homeowners alike.