Stinkbugs generally range between 5 and 12 mm (0.2 to 0.5 inch) in length. One exception is Oncomeris flavicornis, which occurs throughout the world. It is more than 50 mm long and is brightly coloured with red, blue, black, and orange. Sexual dimorphism, a condition in which the appearance of the male and female differs, exists in some species.

In cooler climates the adults hibernate during the winter. During winters in warmer climates they simply become less active. The female deposits about 100 or more ornate, barrel-shaped eggs in rows or clusters. Females of some species remain nearby and guard both eggs and newly hatched larvae.

Some species (e.g., Tessaratoma papillosa of the Orient) have sound-producing organs and make loud, noisy sounds if disturbed. T. papillosa also has the ability to “spit” foul-smelling secretions 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches).

Stinkbugs may feed on plants, causing discoloration or spotting of the fruit, or they may prey on other insects. One of the most important plant pests is the harlequin cabbage bug (Murgantia histrionica). The southern green stinkbug, or green vegetable bug (Nezara viridula), which occurs worldwide, damages beans, berries, tomatoes, and other garden crops. The rice stinkbug (Oebalus pugneax) causes severe losses to the rice crop in North America.

The stinkbug family is so diverse that some authorities divide its members into separate families. The members of the family of shield bugs, or shield-backed bugs (Scutelleridae), are between 8 and 10 mm long, and their shield-shaped thorax covers almost the entire abdomen. An important member of this family is the senn bug (Eurygaster species), a grain pest in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Control measures include the use of pesticides and the elimination of hibernating spots and alternate hosts. However, not all stinkbugs are destructive. The genus Podisus feeds on the Colorado potato beetle larvae and other plant pests. Zicrona caerulea, a species that occurs in China, preys on beetle larvae and adult beetles. In some areas of Mexico, Africa, and India, stinkbugs are eaten by humans.