Rhaphigaster nebulosa

Rhaphigaster nebulosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Pentatomidae
Genus: Rhaphigaster
Binomial name
Rhaphigaster nebulosa
(Poda, 1761)

Rhaphigaster nebulosa is a European stink bug in the family Pentatomidae.

Description

This species reaches a length of 14 to 16 millimetres. It is coloured dirty yellowish-grey to brown with irregularly-distributed fovea on the top side of its body. The membrane of the forewings is often speckled dark brown. The lateral edge (Connexivum) of the abdomen has black and yellow markings. The antennae are ringed with black and yellow markings. On its underside, between the hips, there is a long spur.

Biology

The bug feeds on various broadleaved woody plants. Occasionally it sucks on dead insects. In late spring, the female sticks around 40 eggs in lines or discs on different parts of plants. The young that hatch vary in colour and are flightless. Wing stumps are only recognisable after the third nymph stage. To protect against predators, young bugs have stink glands on their back; in the case of adults, these are to be found on the underside of the thorax. If threatened, a strong-smelling secretion is released. They are not good fliers; their sluggish flight makes loud humming noises.

This species displays diurnal, thermophilic activity. As with most Pentatomidae, it produces only one generation per year. It likes to overwinter on walls covered with ivy. In its search for suitable winter quarters (splits and cracks) it often unwittingly finds its way into houses.

This species produces a plethora of eggs when disturbed in its habitat. Angering or threatening the bug makes it produce an off-white colored secretion that can be harmful if swallowed. Chemicals in the secretion allow the eggs to continue to fertilize in any environment, even those that are highly acidic or basic.

Distribution

This species is distributed throughout the Palearctic region, more commonly in the southern than in the northern parts of Central Europe, and is not known to occur in the United States.

References

External links

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