Managing Pests in Gardens: Vegetables: Invertebrates—Stink bugs

Stink bugs These sucking insects (family Pentatomidae) are shield shaped. Their common name is because when disturbed they can excrete fluid with an unpleasant odor. Over 50 stink bug species occur in California. Some are beneficial predators of pest insects, including Perillus and Podisus species, such as spined soldier bug (Podisus maculiventris) and twospotted stink bug (Perillus bioculatus). Most stink bugs are plant feeders and most any plant can at least occasionally be fed upon by these sporadic pests. Identification Adult stink bugs are distinguished from other insects by the large triangle shape with a rounded rear end (scutellum) that occurs on top of the back, covering the rear of the thorax and front portion of the abdomen. In comparison with most insects, adults are wider relative to their length. Stink bug eggs are barrel shaped with circular caps and are generally laid in a group commonly on leaves. The hatching nymphs are nearly round and their coloration may or may not...