insect
Insects (from Latin ') are Hexapoda, hexapod invertebrates of the class (biology), class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (Insect morphology#Head, head, ...
s belonging to the order
Hemiptera
Hemiptera (; ) is an order of insects, commonly called true bugs, comprising more than 80,000 species within groups such as the cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, assassin bugs, bed bugs, and shield bugs. They range in size from ...
, generally called shield bugs or stink bugs. Pentatomidae is the largest family in the superfamily
Pentatomoidea
The Pentatomoidea are a superfamily of insects in the suborder Heteroptera of the order Hemiptera. As hemipterans, they possess a common arrangement of sucking mouthparts. The roughly 7000 species under Pentatomoidea are divided into 21 familie ...
, and contains around 900 genera and over 4700 species.Robert G. Foottit, Peter H. Adler ''Insect Biodiversity: Science and Society'', John Wiley and Sons, 2009, As hemipterans, the pentatomids have piercing sucking mouthparts, and most are
phytophagous
A herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically evolved to feed on plants, especially upon vascular tissues such as foliage, fruits or seeds, as the main component of its diet (nutrition), diet. These more broadly also encompass an ...
, including several species which are severe pests on
agricultural
Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created f ...
crop
A crop is a plant that can be grown and harvested extensively for profit or subsistence. In other words, a crop is a plant or plant product that is grown for a specific purpose such as food, Fiber, fibre, or fuel.
When plants of the same spe ...
s. However, some species, particularly in the subfamily
Asopinae
Asopinae are a subfamily of Pentatomidae, stink bugs (family (biology), family Pentatomidae). They are predatory stink bugs that are useful as biological control agents against pests, even against other Pentatomid species, which are all herbivo ...
, are predatory and may be considered beneficial.
Etymology
The name "Pentatomidae" is from the
Greek
Greek may refer to:
Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe:
*Greeks, an ethnic group
*Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family
**Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor of all kno ...
''pente'' meaning "five" and ''tomos'' meaning "section", and refers to the five segments of their antennae. Pentatomids are generally called "shield bugs" in British
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Culture, language and peoples
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
* ''English'', an Amish ter ...
, or "stink bugs" in
American English
American English, sometimes called United States English or U.S. English, is the set of variety (linguistics), varieties of the English language native to the United States. English is the Languages of the United States, most widely spoken lang ...
. However, the term shield bugs is also applied broadly to include several related families (e.g.
Acanthosomatidae
Acanthosomatidae is a family of Hemiptera, commonly named "shield bugs" and sometimes "stink bugs".There are currently recognized 200 species in 55 genera, making it is one of the least diverse families within Pentatomoidea. The Acanthosomatidae ...
,
Scutelleridae
Scutelleridae is a Family (biology), family of Hemiptera, true bugs. They are commonly known as jewel (stink) bugs or metallic shield bugs due to their often brilliant coloration. With the name based on the Asian genus ''Scutellera'', they are a ...
, and
Cydnidae
Cydnidae are a family of pentatomoid bugs, known by common names including burrowing bugs or burrower bugs. As the common name would suggest, many members of the group live a subterranean lifestyle, burrowing into soil using their head and forel ...
), or specifically only to refer to species in the family Acanthosomatidae. The term shield bug refers to the generalized body shape of adult bugs in these families which resembles a
heraldic shield
In heraldry, an escutcheon (, ) is a shield that forms the main or focal element in an achievement of arms. The word can be used in two related senses. In the first sense, an escutcheon is the shield upon which a coat of arms is displayed. In th ...
when viewed from above.
The American name "stink bug" is specific to the Pentatomidae, and refers to their ability to release a pungent defensive spray when threatened, disturbed, or crushed. The composition of this spray may vary between species, and even by sex or age, but generally includes
aldehyde
In organic chemistry, an aldehyde () (lat. ''al''cohol ''dehyd''rogenatum, dehydrogenated alcohol) is an organic compound containing a functional group with the structure . The functional group itself (without the "R" side chain) can be referred ...
s and
alkane
In organic chemistry, an alkane, or paraffin (a historical trivial name that also has other meanings), is an acyclic saturated hydrocarbon. In other words, an alkane consists of hydrogen and carbon atoms arranged in a tree structure in whi ...
s. Descriptions of the smells vary widely, and include oily, dusty, woody and earthy, and like
coriander
Coriander (), whose leaves are known as cilantro () in the U.S. and parts of Canada, and dhania in parts of South Asia and Africa, is an annual plant, annual herb (''Coriandrum sativum'') in the family Apiaceae.
Most people perceive the ...
. In some species, the liquid contains cyanide compounds and a rancid almond scent, used to protect themselves and discourage predators.
The term "stink bug" may also be a vernacular for unrelated insects such as pinacate beetles (in the genus ''
Eleodes
''Eleodes'' (commonly known as pinacate beetles or desert stink beetles) is a genus of darkling beetles, in the family Tenebrionidae. They are endemic to western North America ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico with many species fou ...
'').
Description
All pentatomids have 5-segmented antennae, and 3 tarsal segments on each foot. They generally have a large triangular scutellum in the center of the back. The body shape of adult pentatomids is generally " shieldlike," when viewed from above, but this varies between species, and is not true for the immature nymphal stages. The forewings of stink bugs are called
hemelytra
An elytron (; ; : elytra, ) is a modified, hardened forewing of beetles (Coleoptera), though a few of the true bugs (Hemiptera) such as the family Schizopteridae are extremely similar; in true bugs, the forewings are called hemelytra (sometimes ...
, with the basal half thickened while the apex is membranous. At rest, the wings are laid across the back of the insect, with the membranous wingtips overlapping. The hindwings are entirely membranous.
Economics
Several stink bugs and shield bugs are considered agricultural pests, because they can grow into large populations that feed on crops, damage production, and they are resistant to many
pesticide
Pesticides are substances that are used to control pests. They include herbicides, insecticides, nematicides, fungicides, and many others (see table). The most common of these are herbicides, which account for approximately 50% of all p ...
s. They are a threat to cotton, corn, sorghum, soybeans, native and ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, weeds, and many cultivated crops.
In
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
, some species of stink bugs are called ''jumil'', ''chinche de monte'', ''xotlinilli'', or ''chumil'' (e.g. '' Edessa mexicana''). They are most often eaten in the states of
Morelos
Morelos, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Morelos, is a landlocked state located in south-central Mexico. It is one of the 32 states which comprise the Political divisions of Mexico, Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into Mun ...
and
Guerrero
Guerrero, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Guerrero, is one of the 32 states that compose the administrative divisions of Mexico, 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into Municipalities of Guerrero, 85 municipalities. The stat ...
. The flavor is sometimes said to resemble cinnamon, or sometimes a bitter medicinal flavor. ''Jumiles'' may be used for making sauces or as a
taco
A taco (, , ) is a traditional Mexican cuisine, Mexican dish consisting of a small hand-sized corn tortilla, corn- or Flour tortilla, wheat-based tortilla topped with a Stuffing, filling. The tortilla is then folded around the filling and fing ...
filling.
Since its recent arrival in the U.S., the
brown marmorated stink bug
The brown marmorated stink bug (''Halyomorpha halys'') is an insect in the family Pentatomidae, native to China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian regions. In September 1998, it was collected in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where it is believed to have ...
population has grown significantly. As of October 2014, brown marmorated stink bugs can be found in 41 out of 50 states within the U.S. In 2016 New Zealand's MPI put out an alert to prevent this invasive species from entering via imported cargo.
Pest control and management
Changes in winter temperatures may exacerbate the threat posed by Pentatomidae pest species. Habitats that have been identified as suitable for Pentatomidae expansion, such as the Midwest region of the United States, are likely to be heavily impacted by the increased threat. Furthermore, temperature affects life table parameters, such as survival, development, reproduction, and daily mortality, which can impact a variety of crops depending on the injury stink bugs have on them.
As the effects of climate change increase the impacts of stinkbugs on crops, improving efficacy of existing controls and developing new solutions will be critical for pest control. Chemical control programs are commonly used to manage stink bugs, however, there is evidence of increasing
insecticide resistance
Insecticides are pesticides used to kill insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against insect eggs and larvae, respectively. The major use of insecticides is in agriculture, but they are also used in home and garden settings, ...
that will decrease the efficacy of these programs over time. Alternatives to insecticides include the removal of symbionts, using traps that disrupt stinkbug vibratory communication and chemical pheromone traps.
Taxonomy
There are several subfamilies, of which the Aphylinae is often given family status, but is here retained as a subfamily, following Grazia ''et al.'' (2008). The subfamilies include:
* Aphylinae Bergroth, 1906 - Australia
# '' Aphylus'' Bergroth, 1906
# '' Neoaphylum'' Štys & Davidová-Vilímová, 2001
*
Asopinae
Asopinae are a subfamily of Pentatomidae, stink bugs (family (biology), family Pentatomidae). They are predatory stink bugs that are useful as biological control agents against pests, even against other Pentatomid species, which are all herbivo ...
Spinola, 1850 - Worldwide
** ''
Troilus
Troilus ( or ; ; ) is a legendary character associated with the story of the Trojan War. The first surviving reference to him is in Homer's ''Iliad,'' composed in the late 8th century BC.
In Greek mythology, Troilus is a young Troy, Trojan prin ...
Discocephalinae
The Discocephalinae are a subfamily of shield bugs, erected by Fieber in 1860,Fieber FX (1860) ''Die europäischen Hemiptera. Halbflüger. (Rhynchota Heteroptera).'' 444 pp. Carl Gerold's Sohn (Wien). and found mostly in the Americas
Th ...
Edessa (bug)
''Edessa'' is a large New World genus of stink bugs in the family Pentatomidae, containing over 250 described species. Several other genera used to be included until recently, such as ''Pygoda'', ''Ascra (genus), Ascra'', ''Paraedessa'', ''Doe ...
Pentatominae
Pentatominae is a subfamily of Pentatomidae, a family of shield bugs. This subfamily is the largest one within the Pentatomidae, having 4937 species classified in 938 genera. Species in this subfamily are phytophages and several of them are consid ...
Phyllocephalinae
The Phyllocephalinae are a subfamily of shield bugs erected by Amyot and Serville in 1843.
Tribes and genera
''BioLib'' lists the following genera in four tribes:Cressona'' Dallas, 1851
** '' Megarrhamphus'' Bergroth, 1891
** '' Phyllocephala'' Laporte, 1833
** '' Tetroda'' Amyot & Serville, 1843
*
Podopinae
Podopinae, known as turtle bugs, are a subfamily of the insect family Pentatomidae. The type genus is ''Podops''.
Tribes and Genera
''BioLib'' lists: Brachycerocorini
Auth. Davidova-Vilimova & Stys, 1993
# ''Bolbocoris'' Amyot & Serville, 1843
# ...
Amyot & Serville, 1843
** ''
Graphosoma
__NOTOC__
''Graphosoma'' is a genus bugs in the family Pentatomidae
Pentatomidae is a family of insects belonging to the order Hemiptera, generally called shield bugs or stink bugs. Pentatomidae is the largest family in the superfamily Penta ...
'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1833
** ''
Podops
''Podops''Laporte de Castelnau FL (1833) Mémoire de cinquante espèces nouvelles ou peu connues d'Insectes. ''Annales de la Société entomologique de France'' 1: 386–415. is a genus of Palaearctic Heteroptera, bugs, in the family Pentatomidae ...
incertae sedis
or is a term used for a taxonomy (biology), taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Alternatively, such groups are frequently referred to as "enigmatic taxa". In the system of open nomenclature, uncertainty ...
Asopus
Asopus (; ''Āsōpos'') is the name of four different rivers in Greece and one in Turkey. In Greek mythology, it was also the name of the God (male deity), gods of those rivers. Zeus carried off Aegina (mythology), Aegina, Asopus' daughter, and ...
Dyroderes umbraculatus
''Dyroderes umbraculatus'' is a shield bug belonging to the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Pentatominae. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775.
The genus ''Dyroderes'' has one living representative, but ''BioLib' ...
Eurydema cyanea
''Eurydema'' is a genus of mostly Palaearctic shield bugs in the family Pentatomidae.
Species
The following are included:
Subgenus ''Eurydema'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1833
* '' Eurydema eckerleini'' Josifov, 1961
* '' Eurydema gebleri'' Kolena ...
Eurydema maracandica
''Eurydema'' is a genus of mostly Palaearctic shield bugs in the family Pentatomidae.
Species
The following are included:
Subgenus ''Eurydema'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1833
* '' Eurydema eckerleini'' Josifov, 1961
* '' Eurydema gebleri'' Kolena ...
'' Oshanin, 1871
* ''
Eurydema nana
''Eurydema'' is a genus of mostly Palaearctic shield bugs in the family Pentatomidae.
Species
The following are included:
Subgenus ''Eurydema'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1833
* '' Eurydema eckerleini'' Josifov, 1961
* '' Eurydema gebleri'' Kolena ...
Eurydema rotundicollis
''Eurydema'' is a genus of mostly Palaearctic shield bugs in the family Pentatomidae
Pentatomidae is a family of insects belonging to the order Hemiptera, generally called shield bugs or stink bugs. Pentatomidae is the largest family in the ...
Eurydema spectabilis
''Eurydema'' is a genus of mostly Palaearctic shield bugs in the family Pentatomidae.
Species
The following are included:
Subgenus ''Eurydema'' Laporte de Castelnau, 1833
* '' Eurydema eckerleini'' Josifov, 1961
* '' Eurydema gebleri'' Kolena ...
'' Horvath, 1882
* ''
Eurydema ventralis
''Eurydema ventralis'' is a shield bug of the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Pentatominae. The species was Species description, first described by Friedrich August Rudolph Kolenati in 1846.
Description
''Eurydema ventralis'' has a length of abou ...
Graphosoma italicum
''Graphosoma italicum'' is a species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae. It is also known as the striped bug (or Italian striped bug) and minstrel bug.
Description
''G. italicum'' can reach a length of . The body is almost round, with a la ...
Halyomorpha halys
The brown marmorated stink bug (''Halyomorpha halys'') is an insect in the family Pentatomidae, native to China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian regions. In September 1998, it was collected in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where it is believed to have ...
'' (Stål, 1855)
* ''
Holcogaster fibulata
''Holcogaster'' is a genus of mostly Palearctic shield-bugs in the subfamily Pentatominae erected by Franz Xaver Fieber in 1861. Some authorities place this genus in the tribe Carpocorini while others suggest a monotypic tribe Aulacetrini (bas ...
Nezara viridula
''Nezara viridula'', commonly known as the southern green stink bug (USA), southern green shield bug (UK) or green vegetable bug (Australia and New Zealand), is a plant-feeding stink bug. Believed to have originated in Ethiopia, it can now be f ...
Pentatoma rufipes
The forest bug or red-legged shieldbug (''Pentatoma rufipes'') is a species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae, commonly found in most of Europe. It inhabits forests, woodlands, orchards, and gardens.
Description
''P. rufipes'' can reach a ...
Podops curvidens
''Podops''Laporte de Castelnau FL (1833) Mémoire de cinquante espèces nouvelles ou peu connues d'Insectes. ''Annales de la Société entomologique de France'' 1: 386–415. is a genus of Palaearctic Heteroptera, bugs, in the family Pentatomidae ...
Sciocoris maculatus
''Sciocoris'' is a genus of shield bugs belonging to the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Pentatominae. The genus was erected by Carl Fredrik Fallén in 1829.
Subgenera and species
Subgenus ''Aposciocoris'' Wagner, 1965
* ''Sciocoris cerrutii'' Wa ...
Troilus luridus
''Troilus luridus'', also known as the bronze shieldbug, is a species of shield bug found in Europe. It was first described by the Danish zoologist Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775. Shieldbugs are generally phytophagous (i.e., feeding on plant ...
Troilus luridus
''Troilus luridus'', also known as the bronze shieldbug, is a species of shield bug found in Europe. It was first described by the Danish zoologist Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775. Shieldbugs are generally phytophagous (i.e., feeding on plant ...
Chinavia hilaris
The green stink bug or green soldier bug (''Chinavia hilaris'') is a stink bug of the family Pentatomidae.
Taxonomy
The species was previously placed in the genus ''Acrosternum'' but has been classified as in the genus ''Chinavia'' in the more ...
'', the
green stink bug
The green stink bug or green soldier bug (''Chinavia hilaris'') is a stink bug of the family Pentatomidae.
Taxonomy
The species was previously placed in the genus ''Acrosternum'' but has been classified as in the genus ''Chinavia'' in the more ...
Halyomorpha halys
The brown marmorated stink bug (''Halyomorpha halys'') is an insect in the family Pentatomidae, native to China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian regions. In September 1998, it was collected in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where it is believed to have ...
'', the
brown marmorated stink bug
The brown marmorated stink bug (''Halyomorpha halys'') is an insect in the family Pentatomidae, native to China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian regions. In September 1998, it was collected in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where it is believed to have ...
*''
Oebalus pugnax
''Oebalus pugnax'', the rice stink bug, is a flying insect in the shield bug family Pentatomidae native to North America that has become a major agricultural pest in the Southern United States. It has been a known pest since at least the time of ...
Kathryn Schulz
Kathryn Schulz is an American journalist and author. She is a staff writer at ''The New Yorker''. In 2016, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing for her article on the risk of a major earthquake and tsunami in the Pacific Northwest. In ...
. ''The New Yorker,'' March 12, 2018.
Ed Yong
Edmund Soon-Weng Yong (born 17 December 1981) is a British Americans, British-American science journalist and author. In 2021, he received a Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for a series on the COVID-19 pandemic. He is the author of two ...