How Do Stink Bugs Damage Tomatoes? The severity of leaf-footed bug damage to tomatoes depends on the size of the tomato when the insect attacks. When the bugs feed on tiny, new tomatoes, the tomato will likely never mature and develop. You may find that little tomatoes drop off the vine. When they feed on medium-sized tomatoes, they cause scars and depressions in the fruit. When the insects feed on large, nearly mature fruit, they cause minimal damage, and the fruit is often good enough to eat, though you may notice discoloration.