Studies were conducted to test the suitability of absorbent cotton as an oviposition substrate for phytophagous stink bugs. In confined boxes, > 80% of total egg masses of Euschistus heros (F.), Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas), and Thyanta perditor (F.) were laid on cotton; for Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) and Chinavia impicticornis (Stål), > 60%. However, Nezara viridula (L.) and Edessa meditabunda (F.) did not oviposit on cotton balls, but on the box walls, on filter paper or on food. Newly hatched nymphs successfully (> 95%) left the egg shells despite the presence of cotton fibers around the egg masses.