Pentatomidae

Distinguished from related families in Pentatomoidea by the combination of five-segmented antennae, three tarsal segments, and exposed membranous portions of the abdomen (scutellum does not completely cover abdomen, unlike Scutelleridae). The predatory subfamily Asopinae can be recognized by enlarged raptorial forelegs in some species, though this trait is not universal. Within Pentatomidae, species identification often requires examination of ventral thoracic spines, antenna coloration, and abdominal markings; for example, southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula) has a short rounded ventral spine between hind leg attachments and reddish antennal bands, while green stink bug (Chinavia hilaris) has a longer pointed spine and black antennal bands.

Agricultural crops, orchards, forests, and natural vegetation. Many species overwinter in sheltered locations including beneath tree bark, in rocky crevices, or within human structures. Suitable habitats for expansion have been identified in temperate regions such as the Midwest United States. Specific microhabitat requirements vary by species and season.

Worldwide distribution. Native to all continents except Antarctica; numerous species have become invasive outside native ranges. The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), native to East Asia, has established populations in North America (47 U.S. states and 4 Canadian provinces as of recent records), Europe, and other regions. The southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula) occurs globally in tropical and subtropical zones. South American soybean regions (Argentina, Brazil) support significant pentatomid diversity and pest pressure.

Activity patterns vary by climate. In temperate regions, adults seek overwintering refuges in autumn (September–October), enter reproductive diapause during winter, and emerge in spring (March–April) when temperatures reach approximately 15–20°C. Multiple generations may occur annually in warmer climates; in South American soybean systems, sequential generations develop first on legume weeds then on flowering soybeans. Prolonged warm periods can extend activity seasons and trigger premature emergence from overwintering sites.

Most species are phytophagous, feeding on plant fluids from developing seeds, fruits, and vegetative tissues using piercing-sucking mouthparts. Documented hosts include soybean, cotton, corn, sorghum, alfalfa, peppers, tomatoes, various fruits, and ornamental plants. Some species have been observed feeding on houseplants including orchids and ponytail palms when confined indoors. Members of the subfamily Asopinae are predatory, feeding on caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects.

• Glycine max - pestsoybean; major economic host for multiple species
• Gossypium hirsutum - pestcotton
• Zea mays - pestcorn
• Sorghum bicolor - pestsorghum
• Phaseolus vulgaris - pestcommon bean; laboratory host for Acrosternum bellum
• Prosopis - hostmesquite; weed host for Chlorochroa ligata
• Leguminosae (weeds) - hostearly-season hosts supporting first generations before soybean colonization

Development from egg to adult typically requires 4–6 weeks under favorable conditions, though this varies by species and temperature. Eggs are barrel-shaped and deposited in masses on host plants. Nymphs pass through five instars before reaching adulthood; wing pads become visible in later instars. Mean development time for Acrosternum bellum was 38.5 days at 24.6°C. Cumulative nymphal mortality can be substantial (74.5% in laboratory studies of A. bellum), with highest mortality often occurring in the second instar. Adults may live 70+ days; mean longevity of 73.3 days recorded for A. bellum.

Defensive secretion: When threatened, disturbed, or crushed, pentatomids discharge a pungent spray from scent glands. The chemical composition varies by species, sex, and age, generally including aldehydes and alkanes; some species produce cyanide compounds with rancid almond odor. Seasonal movement: Adults exhibit directed movement to overwintering sites in autumn and egress from these sites in spring. In agricultural landscapes, adults fly between host plants and fields. Aggregations form at overwintering sites and on preferred hosts. Vibratory communication occurs via substrate-borne signals, which has been exploited for trap development.

As phytophages, pentatomids function as herbivores that reduce plant fitness through seed and fruit damage, indirectly affecting seed dispersal and plant recruitment. As prey, they support diverse natural enemy communities including parasitoid wasps (Trissolcus spp., Telenomus podisi), predatory arthropods (Chinese mantis, wheel bug, spiders, ground beetles, katydids), and entomopathogenic microorganisms (Beauveria bassiana, Nosema maddoxi). Predatory Asopinae contribute to biological control of lepidopteran and other pest populations. Invasive species disrupt native food webs and compete with indigenous herbivores.

Major agricultural pests causing yield and quality reductions in soybean, cotton, corn, and specialty crops. Feeding damage includes seed abortion, flat pod syndrome, delayed maturity, and reduced germination. Economic thresholds for management: 36 adults and large nymphs per 100 sweeps for most species, 16 per 100 sweeps for redbanded stink bug (Piezodorus guildinii) due to higher per-capita damage. Control relies on insecticides, though resistance has been documented; alternative approaches include biological control using egg parasitoids and microbial agents. Nuisance pest status: Brown marmorated stink bug invades homes in large numbers for overwintering, causing significant household annoyance without reproducing indoors. Cultural use: Some species (e.g., Edessa mexicana) are consumed as food in Mexico (jumil, chinche de monte), prepared in sauces or as taco filling.

• ScutelleridaeAlso called shield bugs; distinguished by greatly enlarged scutellum that completely covers abdomen and wings, giving a rounded 'shield-backed' appearance
• AcanthosomatidaeSometimes called shield bugs in British English; morphologically similar but phylogenetically distinct; identification requires examination of genitalia and other subtle characters
• CydnidaeBurrowing bugs with shield-like shape but fossorial adaptations including spiny forelegs for digging; often associated with soil and roots rather than above-ground plant parts
• CoreidaeLeaf-footed bugs with elongated body form and frequently expanded hind tibiae; lack the broad shield shape and five-segmented antennae formula of Pentatomidae

• agricultural pest
• invasive species
• defensive secretion
• overwintering aggregation
• biological control target

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Soybean Insects: Late-Season Pests (R1 to R7) - AgriLife Extension Entomology
• Pentatomidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 2
• With a stinky exodus underway, not all stink bugs survived a “severe” winter in some parts of our country: Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys — Bug of the Week
• Stink bugs on the move: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys — Bug of the Week
• ID Challenge #7 | Beetles In The Bush
• Reveille for BMSB: Wake-up call for brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys — Bug of the Week
• Redbanded Stink Bug, Piezodorus guildinii, (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), Biology, Identification, and Pest History
• Biología de Acrosternum bellum Rolston, 1983 (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) Biology of Acrosternum bellum Rolston, 1983 (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae)
• Representatives of the genus 'Trissolcus' (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on the territory of Serbia, natural enemies of pests of Pentatomidae family (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
• Spatial and Temporal Distribution of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
• Potential of Beauveria bassiana in the control of Euschistus crenator (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and selectivity to the parasitoid Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae).