There are more than 4,700 species in about 900 genera in 10 subfamilies worldwide, more than 220 species in 64 genera in 5 subfamilies in North America north of Mexico, and at least 43 species in 22 genera in 3 subfamilies in Minnesota.

Photo by Alfredo Colon

Most stink bugs are plant feeders and some are serious agricultural pests. Some are predatory and are considered beneficial. They sometimes seek shelter indoors in the fall, and they are considered minor pests when they do.

Stink bugs release a powerful odor when threatened, and this is the source of the common name of the family.

Description

Adults are 3⁄16″ to 11⁄16″ (5 to 18 mm) long, broadly oval, and somewhat shield-shaped. The antennae have five segments, and this is the source of the scientific name of the family. Between the exoskeletal plate covering the thorax (pronotum) and the forewing bases there is a triangular plate (scutellum). The scutellum is very large but it does not reach the tip of the abdomen and it is not longer than the thickened portion of the forewing (corium). The fourth leg segment (tibia) has weak spines or no spines.


Distribution
		Sources 24, 27, 29, 30, 82, 83.
4/27/2024


Taxonomy
Order	Hemiptera (true bugs, hoppers, aphids, and allies)
Suborder	Heteroptera (true bugs)
Infraorder	Pentatomomorpha
Superfamily	Pentatomoidea (stink bugs, shield bugs, and allies)

Subordinate Taxa
Subfamily Aphylinae Subfamily Asopinae (predatory stink bugs) Subfamily Cyrtocorinae Subfamily Discocephalinae Subfamily Edessinae Subfamily Pentatominae Subfamily Phyllocephalinae Subfamily Podopinae (turtle bugs) Subfamily Serbaninae Subfamily Stirotarsinae incertae sedis (uncertain placement)

Synonyms


Common Names
stink bugs

Glossary

Corium

The thickened basal portion of the front wing that lies between the clavus and the membrane of insects in the family Hemiptera. Plural: coria.

Pronotum

The exoskeletal plate on the upper side of the first segment of the thorax of an insect.

Scutellum

The exoskeletal plate covering the rearward (posterior) part of the middle segment of the thorax in some insects. In Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Homoptera, the dorsal, often triangular plate behind the pronotum and between the bases of the front wings. In Diptera, the exoskeletal plate between the abdomen and the thorax.

Tibia

The fourth segment of an insect leg, after the femur and before the tarsus (foot). The fifth segment of a spider leg or palp.


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Gib Ahlstrand


Alfredo Colon


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Stink Bugs Pentatomidae
Shane Smith

About

Oct 2, 2013

Damn stink bugs! I am glad I am not the only one that has some. Time for the Pyrethoids! This article told me nothing about how to get rid of them.

https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/guest-columnists/the-truth-about-stink-bugs/

Pentatomidae

https://insects.fandom.com/wiki/Stink_Bugs_%E2%80%93_Facts,_Traps,_and_Tips

https://www.domyown.com/strube-stink-bug-trap-p-1852.html

Synthetic Pyrethroids are particularly effective against these pests because they rapidly effect the insect and paralyze their nervous system.. The most common application method of this compound is spraying it in a liquid from around your home or where you have noticed the insects.

Pentatomidae in my hand
kalell11channel

About

Jan 30, 2016

Beautiful Cimice in my hand

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