Pentatomoidea

Shield and stink bugs
Acanthosoma labiduroides female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Infraorder:	Pentatomomorpha
Superfamily:	Pentatomoidea
Families
Acanthosomatidae - shield bugs Aphylidae Canopidae Cydnidae - burrowing bugs (incl. Thyreocoridae) Dinidoridae Lestoniidae Megarididae Pentatomidae - stink bugs Phloeidae Plataspididae (Plataspidae) Scutelleridae - shield-back bugs Tessaratomidae Thaumastellidae Urostylididae (Urostylidae)

A freshly moulted Pentatomid nymph belonging to tribe Halyni.

Pentatomoidea is a superfamily of insects in the Heteroptera suborder of the Hemiptera order, which are commonly referred to as shield bugs or stink bugs. Shield bugs have glands in their thorax between the first and second pair of legs which produce a foul smelling liquid. This liquid is used defensively to deter potential predators and is sometimes released when the bugs are handled carelessly. The distinctive smell comes from aldehydes such as CH₃–(CH₂)₂–CH=CH–CHO.

The nymphs, similar to adults except smaller and without wings, also have stink glands.

The nymphs and adults have piercing mouthparts which most use to suck sap from plants, although some eat other insects. When they group in large numbers they can become significant pests.

Other species that resemble Pentatomoidea insects are found in the Coreoidea superfamily.

Stinkbugs normally appear during the spring and summer months.

References

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See also

• Sunn pest