Stink Bugs - Family Pentatomidae
The pentatomids are known as Stink Bugs or Shield Bugs. They are frequently found in large numbers on crops and weeds. If disturbed, they will emit a pungent, evil-smelling liquid. They are mostly brown, some are greenish, although a few are highly coloured.
- Eucalypt Shield Bugs, adult and nymph
Stink bugs are distinguished from other bugs by their 3rd thorax, or the triangular scutellum, which is well extended to cover half of their back, but not covered the whole abdomen. Their legs are thin and with no spines. The antennae are four or five segmented. Their body are usually in shield-shaped. Nymphs look similar to their adults except they are wingless.
- Scent gland opening Mating pair
The 'stink' evil-smelling liquid comes from the bug's scent glands. In adults the scent gland openings are located under each side of thorax, between the first and second pair of legs. In nymphs the scent gland openings are paired and located on the top of abdomen. Those stink liquid will discourage or even harm the potential predators.
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- Newly hatched stink bugs
Stink bugs mating occurs in spring and/or summer, depending on the species. Eggs are laid in tight clusters glued to a host plant, usually on the underside of leaves or under barks. After hatching, the first instars often stay together with the empty egg-shell until they moult become the second instars. Then they disperse in search of food. Nymphs undergo five metamorphoses to become adults.
- Egg-shells under bark 2nd instars
Most of the Stink Bug species are plant suckers although some are predators to other insects. Some species in this family exhibit maternal care by standing guard over their egg batches.
All Stink Bugs are active during the day. They have a number of natural enemies, some species their eggs suffer parasites by wasps.
We found quite a number of Stink Bug species in Brisbane. They are listed in the following pages;
Subfamily Asopinae - Most of the stink bug species are plant suckers, however bugs in this subfamily are predators.
Subfamily Pentatominae - We found quite a number of Stink Bug species in Brisbane. Most of them are in this subfamily.
Subfamily Podopinae - We only found one species in this subfamily.
Unidentified Stink Bugs - Please advise if you known the ID of the stink bugs in this page.
- Reference:
- 1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, pp 508.
- Australia 2005.
