Pentatomidae
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| Pentatomidae | ||||||||||||
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 Anchor bug (Stiretrus anchorago) A beneficial stink bug Kingstree, South Carolina | ||||||||||||
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Pentatomidae is a family of insects that includes some of the Stink bugs and Shield bugs.
If disturbed, stink bugs will emit a pungent, bad-smelling liquid, whose rancid almond smell is due to cyanide compounds. Their antennae are 5-segmented, which gives the family its name. Their body are usually shield-shaped.
Parent_bug.JPG
Many stink bugs and shield bugs are considered agricultural pest insects, because they can create large populations; they suck plant juices and damage crop production, and they are resistant to many pesticides. On the other hand, some genera of Pentatomidae are considered highly beneficial, as the anchor bug pictured. This bug can be distinguished by the red-orange anchor shape on the adult. It is a predator on other insects, especially Mexican bean beetles, Japanese beetles, and other pest insects.
Species include:
- Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)
External links
- Images of shield bugs (http://www.david.element.ukgateway.net/bugs2shieldbugs2.htm)
- University of Florida featured creatures: Stiretrus anchorago (http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/beneficial/stiretrus_anchorago.htm)
- University of Florida featured creatures: Southern green stink bug (http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/veg/bean/southern_green_stink_bug.htm)