A mother stink bug usually lays her eggs on a leaf. Most species produce round or barrel-shaped eggs. Egg color depends on the species, and the eggs may change color after they're laid. For instance, a species of green stink bug lays eggs that vary from green to yellow and change to gray or pink, Animal Planet reports.
A Stink Bug's Life
There are thousands of stink bug species. Their common name comes from the stench they give off to defend themselves from being eaten. A few stink bugs harm crops, yet most benefit gardens by eating pests. Many stink bugs have coloring that camouflages them from predators. Green ones blend in with foliage and brown ones disappear on tree bark and ground debris.
Egg Appearance
Many female stink bugs lay eggs in groups of 12 to 14, but some produce larger clusters. A green stink bug with black stripes on its antennae (Acrosternum hilare) deposits 20 to 50 white eggs with nubs on top. The southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula) lays about 150 eggs in a hexagonal grouping. Her eggs start out white and turn pink, the Virginia Cooperative Extension website reports. The rice stink bug lays about 45 eggs in a double row; they start out green and turn red. The harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica) deposits a dozen or so black-and-white striped eggs.
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Writer Bio
Gryphon Adams began publishing in 1985. He contributed to the "San Francisco Chronicle" and "Dark Voices." Adams writes about a variety of topics, including teaching, floral design, landscaping and home furnishings. Adams is a certified health educator and a massage practitioner. He received his Master of Fine Arts at San Francisco State University.
