Many stink bug species are roughly the shape of a pentagonal shield in outline. This one is a bit elongated from the more common, compact shape. All stink bugs have well developed piercing-sucking mouthparts and most use these to feed inside developing seeds or buds. Sunflower Seed Stink Bugs have a variable amount of colorations and feed on variety of plants. They are reported as pests in many crops.

Glands on each side of the thorax can produce foul smelling compounds which serve to defend against insect predators such as birds or lizards.