What are the shield-shaped bugs?
Stink bugs are large, oval or shield-shaped insects. They are members of the insect order Hemiptera and the family Pentatomidae. They get their common name from the odor of the chemical that they produce in glands on their abdomen. Scientists suspect this odor might be a defense against predators.
What is the difference between a stink bug and a shield bug?
Stink bugs are a browny-grey colour and have a marbled appearance to their shells. They have a similar shape to shield bugs, which are slightly larger in size, but these are not thought to be agricultural pests of significance.
Is a shield bug a Beetle?
No really, they do. Unlike beetles with their biting jaws, bugs (which are their own biological group – or order – of insect called Hemiptera) have piercing, beak-like mouthparts for extracting the juices from plants and other invertebrates. Some, including the infamous fleas and bedbugs, even suck blood.
Where did the stink bug from Sochi come from?
The stink bug was traced to have been introduced to the Greater Caucasus area during the construction works of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, where it was most likely imported with decorative building elements brought from Italy. The stink bug has since spread to Georgia, where it continues to cause major damage to the local crops.
What kind of wasp is brown marmorated stink bug?
In China, Trissolcus japonicus, a parasitoid wasp species in the family Scelionidae, is a primary predator. In the United States, Europe, and New Zealand, Trissolcus japonicus is a focus of biological control programs against the brown marmorated stink bug.
What kind of insecticide to use on stink bugs?
Evidence also shows that stink bugs are developing a resistance to pyrethroid insecticides, a common chemical used to combat infestations. Other insecticides currently in field trials that are showing promising results are oxamyl (96% mortality rate) and moribund (67% mortality rate).