The lady Asian beetle, also known as the Halloween beetle, is often the orangish beetle that finds its way into homes in the fall, sometimes staying around most of the winter. But John Obermeyer, Purdue University Extension entomologist, says there's now another pest in the state that not only can invade homes, but this one also stinks. That makes it much more annoying than the Halloween beetle.

It's the brown marmorated stink bug, and it is now taking up residence in Indiana.

Unwelcome intruder: The brown marmorated stink bug is now in Indiana. (Photo courtesy John Obermeyer, Purdue University Entomology Extension.

The problem is that this one isn't limited to doing damage around the home, yard and garden, Obermeyer says. It can also do damage to field crops, feeding on soybean leaves, somewhat in the manner that Japanese beetles tend to feed on soybean leaves when they are present in large numbers. 

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This bug hatches from eggs laid on the underside of leaves, usually in clusters of 20 or 30. The egg masses may be white to pale green. The nymph is an ugly creature, with spines on its eyes and the edges of its shoulders. The legs are banded with light color and darker colors on either side.

The adult has what's called marbled legs. It also has blue-green metallic depressions on the head and shoulder area. Look for dark bands on the wing tips.

If you think you find one, take it to your county Extension educator for identification, or contact Obermeyer at Purdue. It can resemble several other types of stink bugs. You need to know the exact characteristics to look for to make a positive identification.

Damage will depend on how many are present, like for any pest, and how much damage they're doing, plus the stage and price of soybeans. Be on the lookout for this relatively new pest to Indiana this summer.