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
Pentatomoidea, and contains around 900 genera and over 4700 species.[1][2] As hemipterans, the pentatomids have
piercing sucking mouthparts, and most are
phytophagous, including several species which are severe pests on
agriculturalcrops. However, some species, particularly in the subfamily
Asopinae, are predatory and may be considered beneficial.
Etymology
The name "Pentatomidae" is from the
Greekpente meaning "five" and tomos meaning "section", and refers to the five segments of their antennae.[1] Pentatomids are generally called "shield bugs" in British
English, or "stink bugs" in
American English. However, the term shield bugs is also applied broadly to include several related families (e.g.
Acanthosomatidae,
Scutelleridae, and
Cydnidae), or specifically only to refer to species in the family Acanthosomatidae.[1][3][4][5][6] The term shield bug refers to the generalized body shape of adult bugs in these families which resembles a
heraldic shield 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,[7] but generally includes
aldehydes and
alkanes. Descriptions of the smells vary widely, and include oily, dusty, woody and earthy, and like
coriander.[8][9] In some species, the liquid contains cyanide compounds and a rancid almond scent, used to protect themselves and discourage predators.[8]
The term "stink bug" may also be a vernacular for unrelated insects such as pinacate beetles (in the genus Eleodes).[10]
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).[11] The subfamilies include:[12]
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, 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, damaging production, and they are resistant to many
pesticides. They are a threat to cotton, corn, sorghum, soybeans, native and ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, weeds, and many cultivated crops.[13]
In
Mexico, 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 and
Guerrero. The flavor is sometimes said to resemble cinnamon, or sometimes a bitter medicinal flavor. Jumiles may be used for making sauces or as
taco filling.[14]
Since recent arrival in the U.S., populations of the
brown marmorated stink bug have grown significantly. As of October 2014, brown marmorated stink bugs can be found in 41 out of 50 states within the U.S.[15] In 2016 New Zealand's MPI put out an alert to prevent this invasive species from entering via imported cargo.[16]