Pentatomidae
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 Anchor bug (Stiretrus anchorago)
A beneficial stink bug Kingstree, South Carolina |
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Aphylinae |
Pentatomidae is a family of insects that includes some of the stink bugs and shield bugs.
If disturbed, stink bugs will emit a pungent liquid, whose rancid almond smell is due to cyanide compounds. Their antennae are 5-segmented, which gives the family its name. Their body are usually shield-shaped.
Many stink bugs and shield bugs are considered agricultural pest insects, because they can create large populations; they suck plant juices and damage crop production, and they are resistant to many pesticides. However, some genera of Pentatomidae are considered highly beneficial; the anchor bug pictured above as an example. This bug can be distinguished by the red-orange anchor shape on the adult. It is a predator of other insects, especially Mexican bean beetles, Japanese beetles, and other pest insects.
In the British Isles there are 33 species of shield bugs belonging to the super-family Pentatomoidea, 32 of which are native and 1 which is considered to be newly naturalised.[1] Of these 32 species, 17 belong in the family Pentatomidae.
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[edit] Identification features
The family characters include five segmented antennae, a four-segmented beak and 3 tarsal segments. The body shape is generally shield like when seen from above. The triangular scutellum is usually as long as the corium of the forewing.
Species include:
- Green shieldbug (Palomena prasina)
- Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)
- Horehound bug (Agonoscelis rutila)
- Forest bug (Pentatoma rufipes)
 Scutellera nobilis |
 An aggregation of Pentatomid nymphs |
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 A Pentatomid nymph |
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Stink Bugs of North America - photos and information
- Green Stink Bug Acrosternum hilare - large format diagnostic photos, adults and nymphs
- Stink Bug Cosmopepla bimaculata diagnostic photos
- Images of shield bugs
- University of Florida featured creatures: Stiretrus anchorago
- University of Florida featured creatures: Southern green stink bug
- Brown Marmorated Stink Bug - Penn State Entomology Department Fact Sheet
[edit] Cited references
- ^ Evans, Martin; Roger Edmondson (2005). A Photographic Guide to the Shieldbugs and Squashbugs of the British Isles. Wakefield: WGUK. ISBN 0-9549506-0-7.
