Stink Bug Facts

stink bugs belong to the scientific order Hemiptera, the members of which are known as “true bugs”. These contain between 50,000 to 80,000 species of assassin bugs, planthoppers, leafhoppers, cicadas, aphids, and shield bugs. These bugs have two features in common: piercing and sucking mouthparts and wings that are clear and membranous at the tips but hard at the base.

Like many other true bugs, they have tough, flat covers on their backs that look and function like shields. These are called scutella. The scutella are triangular and very noticeable because they enlarge halfway down the backs of stink bugs. stink bugs range in size from ¼ to one inch in size.

There are many species, and they range in colour from white, yellow, orange, green, grey, and brown. Many are dull and blend in with their surroundings but some have brilliant colours or have stunning patterns such as red or purple dots or bands against a contrasting colour.

stink bugs exist in many parts of the world. In most countries, they are considered pests but some countries – such as Mexico, Viet Nam, Laos, and Thailand – value them as a food delicacy.

In the United States, native species have existed for a long time, especially in the southern states. The indigenous species have natural predators that keep their population in check.

An alien stink bug species that migrated to the United States from Asia in the late 90s, the brown marmorated bug, has recently come to be a great cause of concern to scientists, farmers, and building dwellers as they have begun to proliferate profusely, and they have no natural predators to restrain their rapid increase.

stink bugs get their name from the foul-smelling, bad tasting liquid they emit from glands placed on the underside of their thorax. The stench is a defence mechanism against predators and is released when the bugs feel threatened or are almost jostled. The stench remains on whatever it touches, but it is inherent to wash it away with soap and water or with lemon.

The majority of these bugs are herbivores; they feed on plants. They prefer fruit and vegetables, but will also feed on feed crops such as corn and oats and on crop plants such as cotton. If their population is not kept under control, they can come to be major agricultural pests.

Some species of stink bugs are predatory. They suck the body fluids of other pest insects, such as caterpillars and definite types of beetles. These stink bug species are beneficial to have in farms and orchards.

When feeding on plants, they use their needle-like mouthparts to pierce the skin of the fruit or vegetable and suck out the juice. The damage to whatever they feed on is in general cosmetic.

These insects are active in warm months. In many regions of the United States, this would be from spring to late fall. Warm seasons are when they feed, mate, and reproduce.

In Asia, where the weather is warmer, females can lay as many as six generations of eggs in one year, with each generation producing from 30 to 100 barrel-shaped eggs. They dispose these eggs in neat clusters and attach them to the underside of plant leaves and stems. In countries with moderate weather, stink bugs ordinarily have only one generation per year, but this can growth if spring and summer come early.

An adult bug can live for any years.

When temperatures drop, they look for places in which to hibernate. In Asia, they hunt for rocky outcroppings; in the Us, they move to houses and other buildings.

In chilly weather, they are in a principally dormant state, sleeping off the cold. But heat can arouse them from their sleep. When aroused, they may move about very gradually and attempt fly about a bit.

Stink bugs are attracted to light may attempt to fly towards the source of light. It is not unusual to see stink bugs swarming nearby a light source. They are also attracted to the colour yellow and to light-coloured surfaces. Discrepancy to many beliefs, they do not bite.