shield bug

Shield and stink bugs
Acanthosoma labiduroides female
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hemiptera Infraorder: Pentatomomorpha Superfamily: Pentatomoidea
Families
Acanthosomatidae - shield bugs Aphylidae Canopidae Cydnidae - burrowing bugs Dinidoridae Lestoniidae Megarididae Pentatomidae - stink bugs Phloeidae Plataspididae (Plataspidae) Scutelleridae - shield-back bugs Tessaratomidae Thaumastellidae Thyreocoridae (Corimelaenidae) - black bugs Urostylididae (Urostylidae)

Shield bug and stink bug (or shieldbug and stinkbug) are common names applied to various insects of the Hemiptera order (the "true bugs"), in the Heteroptera suborder. Shield bugs have glands in their thorax between the first and second pair of legs which produce a foul smelling liquid. This liquid is used defensively to deter potential predators and is sometimes released when the bugs are handled carelessly. The stink comes from aldehydes such as CH₃–(CH₂)₂–CH=CH–CHO, and is chemically similar to pheromones.

The nymphs, similar to adults except smaller and without wings, also have stink glands.

The nymphs and adults have piercing mouthparts which most use to suck sap from plants, although some eat other insects. When they group in large numbers they can become significant pests.

The superfamily Pentatomoidea consists of generally shield-shaped true bugs, with the families listed to the right.

Other species that resemble shield bugs are found in the Coreoidea superfamily.

The stink bug's smell is similar to the smell of Laundry that has been left in the washer for weeks without drying.

Some species

Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale Acanthosomatidae	Alcaeorrhynchus grandis Pentatomidae	Carpocoris mediterraneus Pentatomidae	Codophila varia Pentatomidae
Dolycoris baccarum Pentatomidae	Elasmostethus interstinctus Acanthosomatidae	Elasmucha grisea Acanthosomatidae	Eurydema ornatum Pentatomidae
Graphosoma lineatum Pentatomidae	Graphosoma italicum Pentatomidae	Graphosoma italicum Pentatomidae	Graphosoma italicum Pentatomidae
Halyomorpha halys Pentatomidae	Loxa viridis Pentatomidae	Palomena prasina Pentatomidae	Picromerus bidens Pentatomidae
Raphigaster nebulosa Pentatomidae	Troilus luridus Pentatomidae	Zicrona caerulea Pentatomidae

See also

• Sunn pest

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