Mormidea lugens is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae found in the Caribbean, Central America, and Eastern North America. In Illinois, adults have been observed emerging from overwintering sites in late April, and continue to be observed until early November, and appear to be bivoltine in this area. Eggs are approximately 0.7 millimetres (0.028 in) in diameter, pale yellow, and laid in small clusters of 6 to 11 eggs (mean = 9.6). Adults are bronze in color, with a white-yellow border around the scutellum, and are 5.0–7.2 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in) in length. In laboratory conditions, at approximately 24 °C (75 °F), development from eggs to adults has been documented to take between 39 and 50 days, and appears to be affected by the species of host plant. Mormidea lugens has been documented to feed on timothy, sedges (including Carex shortiana, C. amphibola, C. normalis), as well as deer-tongue grass (Panicum clandestinum), and Bosc's panic-grass (P. boscii). It has been collected from pale sedge (C. blanda) and wide-leaved spiderwort (Tradescantia subaspera) but has not observed feeding on these species, and deer-tongue grass appears to be an insufficient food source for development.

harmful

Mormidea lugens are considered tree pests because they feed on the sap of various tree species, causing damage to the foliage and overall health of the trees.

tree pest

Mormidea lugens can be considered garden pests because they have a tendency to feed on the sap of garden plants, which can lead to damage and reduced vitality of the plants in the garden.

garden pest

Mormidea lugens are considered crop pests because they have been observed feeding on the sap of crop plants, which can result in reduced yield, damage to the crops, and overall economic losses for farmers.

crop pest

Mormidea lugens are considered pests because they feed on the sap of trees, garden plants, and crops, causing damage to the foliage, reduced vitality of plants, and economic losses for farmers.

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