[1][2][3] The adult of P. punctulatus is 11-13 mm long and has a mostly black body with a yellow spot at the apex of the scutellum.

[4] Feeding results in disfigured leaves and discolored areas on stems, but this damage is usually insignificant since the bugs never reach high populations.

[4] The distinctive colouration of P. punctulatus may signal its unpalatability to predators such as birds (aposematism).

Some predatory stink bugs share its black colouration and are capable of stabbing with their strong proboscis to deter predators.

[4] Like many other stink bug species, P. punctulatus is attracted to traps baited with Euschistus pheromones.