Rice Stink Bug vs House Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rice Stink Bug House Cricket
Scientific Name Oebalus pugnax Acheta domesticus
Order Hemiptera Orthoptera
Family Pentatomidae Gryllidae
Size 8-12 mm 16-21 mm
Habitat Wetlands Indoors
Diet Seed Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions North America, Central America Europe, Asia, North America, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Rice Stink Bug

A slender, straw-colored stink bug that is the most damaging hemipteran pest of rice in the Americas. It feeds on developing rice grains, causing 'pecky rice' that is discolored and unmarketable.

💡

Did You Know?

Feeding punctures allow fungi to enter developing rice grains, creating dark spots that cause entire harvests to be downgraded.

House Cricket

A light brown cricket commonly found in and around human dwellings. It is widely farmed as a protein source and as feeder insects for pets.

💡

Did You Know?

House crickets are now farmed on an industrial scale and processed into flour containing over 65% protein by weight.