''Agonoscelis'' is a genus of

stink bug Stink bug or stinkbug is a common name for several insects and may refer to: * Any of several bugs in the true bug (hemipteran) family Pentatomidae **'' Halyomorpha halys'', or brown marmorated stink bug **''Chinavia hilaris'', or green stink bug ...

s that are native to the Afrotropics and Australia, but one species is established in the New World. Some species are minor or considerable pests. They have five nymphal stages, and are 8 to 12 mm long as adults. They attack (or control) weeds and herbs including horehound,

thyme Thyme () is the herb (dried aerial parts) of some members of the genus ''Thymus'' of aromatic perennial evergreen herbs in the mint family Lamiaceae. Thymes are relatives of the oregano genus ''Origanum'', with both plants being mostly indigenous ...

flax Flax, also known as common flax or linseed, is a flowering plant, ''Linum usitatissimum'', in the family Linaceae. It is cultivated as a food and fiber crop in regions of the world with temperate climates. Textiles made from flax are known i ...

and

cotton Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor p ...

, or the developing seeds of sunflowers or cereals like

millet Millets () are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Most species generally referred to as millets belong to the tribe Paniceae, but some millets ...

sorghum ''Sorghum'' () is a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants in the grass family ( Poaceae). Some of these species are grown as cereals for human consumption and some in pastures for animals. One species is grown for grain, while many ot ...

. They may swarm on a variety of other shrubs and trees, including

coffee Coffee is a drink prepared from roasted coffee beans. Darkly colored, bitter, and slightly acidic, coffee has a stimulating effect on humans, primarily due to its caffeine content. It is the most popular hot drink in the world. Seeds of ...

and cacao. The scent gland is located at the end of the abdomen.

Species

There are some 19 to 22 species, which include: * '' Agonoscelis erosa'' (Westwood, 1837) ** ''A. e. atropurpurea'' Schumacher, 1913 * '' Agonoscelis femoralis'' Walker, 1868 * '' Agonoscelis nubila'' F. – Flower head bug * '' Agonoscelis puberula'' Stål, 1853 – African cluster bug (established in New World) * ''

Agonoscelis pubescens ''Agonoscelis pubescens'', the African cluster bug or sorghum bug, is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae Pentatomidae is a family of insects belonging to the order Hemiptera, generally called shield bugs or stink bugs. Pentat ...

'' (Thunb.) – Andat bug, Sudan dura bug, Pentatomid sorghum bug, African cluster bug, syn. ''A. versicolor'' (Fabricius, 1794) * '' Agonoscelis rutila'' (Fabricius, 1775) – Horehound bug * '' Agonoscelis versicoloratus'' (Turton) – Sunflower seed bug Horehound Bug apr07 edit.jpg, ''A. rutila'' Sunflower seed bug (Agonoscelis versicoloratus).jpg, ''A. versicoloratus''

References

Pentatomidae Pentatomomorpha genera {{Pentatomoidea-stub