While tarnished plant bug (TPB) and stink bug damage to cotton from adults and nymphs are similar in appearance, that does not mean that each insect and stage has the same potential to create damage. Stink bug adults, stink bug nymphs, TPB adults and TPB nymphs at various densities were caged on individual cotton plants during mid-season in three years to evaluate insect damage and fruiting structure preferences. Results show that the species differ in their feeding preferences and that nymphs and adults differ in the level of damage caused.