Overview
Pentatomoidea is a superfamily of 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, and is chemically similar to pheromones.
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
Photos
Taxonomy
The Superfamily Pentatomoidea is further organized into finer groupings including:
- Family (16): Acanthosomatidae · Aphylidae · Canopidae · Cydnidae · Dinidoridae · Eumenotidae · Lestoniidae · Megarididae · Pentatomidae · Phloeidae · Plataspidae · Scutelleridae · Tessaratomidae · Thaumastellidae · Thyreocoridae · Urostylidae
Families
Acanthosomatidae
The Acanthosomatidae is a small family in the order commonly known as shield bugs. They are distinguished from related families in that they have only two tarsal segments. There are over 30 genera in three subfamilies, distributed worldwide. [more]
Aphylidae
Canopidae
Cydnidae
Cydnidae, the negro bugs, burrowing bugs or burrower bugs are a family of . Though similar in appearance to a beetle at casual glance, they can be distinguished by both their piercing/sucking mouthparts, and wing configuration. (beetle elytra are split directly down the back of the insect). Of some 750 species of burrower bugs, 27 are reported as crop pests, and six species are thought to feed on peanut. [more]
Dinidoridae
Eumenotidae
Lestoniidae
Megarididae
Pentatomidae
Pentatomidae Greek: "pente" (five) + "tomos" (a section) is a family of that includes some of the stink bugs and shield bugs. [more]
Phloeidae
Plataspidae
Scutelleridae
Scutelleridae are otherwise known as shield-backed bugs, a reference to the fact that their shield is continuous, not divided. Because bugs in this family are usually brightly colored, they are also known as Jewel bugs. These insects feed on plant juices, and are closely related to . [more]
Tessaratomidae
Thaumastellidae
Thyreocoridae
Urostylidae
At least 30 species and subspecies belong to the Family Urostylidae.
More info about the Family Urostylidae may be found here.
References
Sources
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