Hobbies And Interests
Major Agricultural Pests
Brown marmorated stink bugs, Euschistus servus, are native to China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, but now live in Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Their shield-shaped bodies, covered in brown shades, complement lighter tones on antennae and dark tones on their wings. Larvae go through several instars---phases between moltings---before reaching adulthood. Each instar is marked by distinctive abdominal coloring. These pests feed on fruit trees, ornamental plants and soybeans. The red- and black-spotted harlequin bugs, Murgantia histrionica, reside in the southern U.S., south of Colorado and Pennsylvania. They suck plant juices from host plants, causing them to wither and die. Harlequins feed on cabbage, turnips, mustard, tomato and other vegetables, field crops and fruit trees.
Pest Stink Bugs
Originally from Ethiopia, the southern green stinkbug, Nezara viridula, spread to Europe, Asia and the Americas. Their green bodies sport black abdominal spots. Larvae go through five instar stages. Each stage features a unique coloring. Their preferred meal contains young shoots and developing fruits. You can identify the forest bug, Pentatoma rufipes, by its shiny brown body and reddish-orange markings. Orange legs and plates extend from its body. The forest bug feeds on the sap of deciduous trees like fruit and nut trees, but they prefer oaks.
Non-Pest Herbaceous Stink Bugs
Located east of the Rocky Mountains and extending all the way to New York, the rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax, usually eats wild grass, but moves to sorghum and rice fields in the spring. The 1/2-inch long stinkbug sports a golden brown color with forward pointing spines.
Non-Pest Carnivorous Stink bugs
The spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris, eats other insect pests. It usually lives in fields, gardens and weedy areas. The soldier bug feeds on caterpillars and other arthropods. The arboreal or tree-dwelling stink bugs are all from the Brochymena genus. They wander across tree trunks searching for ants and other insects. Rough, dark brown skin helps them blend in with tree bark. The black stink bug, Proxys punctulatus, lives throughout the Americas. It feeds on plants and other insects. This stinkbug does not appear to damage agricultural crops. Red-shouldered stinkbugs are members of the Thyanta genus; they live on plants, but eat other insects. This 2/5-inch long bug prefers weed-filled habitats over agricultural crops.
Economically Beneficial Stink Bugs
The 1/3-inch long two-spotted stink bug, Perillus bioculatus, preys on bugs that live on crops and in gardens. These medium-sized predatory stink bugs eat the larva of other bugs including weevils and Mexican bean beetles. They live on soybeans, peanuts, alfalfa and corn. Anchor stink bugs, Stiretrus anchorago, are considered economically beneficial because while they live on herbaceous plants they feed on the larvae of beetles, butterflies and moths, including the larvae of the Mexican bean beetle.