Asopinae
Guides
Alcaeorrhynchus grandis
Giant Strong-nosed Stink Bug
Alcaeorrhynchus grandis is a large predatory stink bug reaching approximately 20 mm in length. It is a member of the subfamily Asopinae within Pentatomidae, a group characterized by predatory rather than herbivorous habits. The species has been studied as a potential biological control agent for lepidopteran pests in agricultural systems, particularly in palm oil plantations in the Brazilian Amazon. Its life cycle stages have been documented for field identification purposes.
Euthyrhynchus
Florida predatory stink bug
Euthyrhynchus is a monotypic genus of predatory stink bugs in the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Asopinae. The sole species, E. floridanus (Florida predatory stink bug), is native to the southeastern United States and has expanded its range northward in recent decades, now regularly occurring as far north as the Mid-Atlantic and New England. This carnivorous shield bug is considered beneficial in agricultural and garden settings due to its predation on pest insects.
Oplomus
Oplomus is a genus of predatory stink bugs in the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Asopinae, containing approximately nine described species. The genus has been studied for biological control potential, particularly Oplomus dichrous as a predator of agricultural pests. Members are generalist predators with documented preferences for certain prey types.
Perillus lunatus
Perillus lunatus is a species of predatory stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, described by Knight in 1952. Like other members of the genus Perillus, it belongs to the subfamily Asopinae, which contains predatory rather than phytophagous stink bugs. The genus Perillus is best known for P. bioculatus, the two-spotted stink bug, a significant biological control agent of the Colorado potato beetle. Perillus lunatus shares the predatory habits characteristic of this genus, though specific details of its biology are less documented than those of its congener P. bioculatus.
Perillus strigipes
Perillus strigipes is a predatory stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, native to North America. It belongs to the subfamily Asopinae, a group of predatory stink bugs that actively hunt insect prey. Like its congener Perillus bioculatus (the two-spotted stink bug), it is presumed to be a beneficial predator in agricultural and garden ecosystems, though specific ecological studies on this species are limited. The genus Perillus is notable for including species that prey on pest insects such as Colorado potato beetle.
Podisus brevispinus
Podisus brevispinus is a species of predatory stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Asopinae. It was described by Phillips in 1982 and is native to North America. Like other members of the genus Podisus, it is a generalist predator of other insects. The species is less well-documented than the closely related and widely studied Podisus maculiventris (spined soldier bug).
Podisus neglectus
Podisus neglectus is a predatory stink bug species in the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Asopinae. It belongs to a genus of beneficial insects known for preying on agricultural and forest pests. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature, though it shares the general predatory habits characteristic of Podisus species.
Podisus sagitta
Podisus sagitta is a small to medium-sized predatory stink bug in the family Pentatomidae. It belongs to the subfamily Asopinae, a group of predatory pentatomids. The species is distributed from the southern United States through Central America, the Caribbean, and into South America. Like other members of the genus Podisus, it is a generalist predator of other insects.
Rhacognathus
heather bug (R. punctatus)
Rhacognathus is a genus of predatory stink bugs in the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Asopinae. The genus includes four described species distributed across the Holarctic: R. punctatus in Europe, R. americanus in North America (now possibly extinct), and R. callosus and R. corniger in Asia. Species in this genus are characterized by their distinctive body shape and predatory feeding habits on other insects.
Rhacognathus americanus
Rhacognathus americanus is a large predatory stink bug in the subfamily Asopinae, first described by Carl Stål in 1870. Adults measure 9–11 mm and exhibit dark brown to black coloration mottled with dull yellow. The species is native to North America but has not been collected or observed since 1966, with fewer than 40 verifiable sightings recorded throughout the entire 20th century. It is considered likely extirpated from Ontario and may be extinct across its range.
Stiretrus
anchor stink bugs
Stiretrus is a genus of predatory stink bugs in the subfamily Asopinae, family Pentatomidae. Species occur in the Americas, with records from North America (USA, Canada) and South America (Brazil, Suriname). The genus includes at least eight described species, with S. anchorago (anchor stink bug) being among the better known. Members are predators of other insects, with documented specialization on cassidine beetles (Chrysomelidae) in some species. Some species exhibit striking color polymorphism and possible mimicry with their prey.
Stiretrus anchorago
anchor stink bug
Stiretrus anchorago, commonly known as the anchor stink bug, is a predatory stink bug in the family Pentatomidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species is known to prey on specific beetle species including Epilachna varivestis (Mexican bean beetle) and Hypera postica (alfalfa weevil). Five subspecies have been described.
Tyrannocoris jole
Tyrannocoris jole is a species of predatory stink bug in the subfamily Asopinae. Like other members of this subfamily, it is likely predatory rather than herbivorous. The species was described by Carl Stål in 1862 and is currently accepted as valid. Very little specific information is available about the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Zicrona
Blue Bug (Z. caerulea)
Zicrona is a small genus of shield bugs (Pentatomidae: Asopinae) established by Amyot and Serville in 1843. The genus name derives from the Hebrew word זכרון (zicron), meaning "odorant." Four species are currently recognized, with Z. caerulea (Linnaeus, 1758) being the most widely distributed and commonly encountered. The genus is placed in the predatory subfamily Asopinae, though specific biological details for most species remain poorly documented.
Zicrona caerulea
Blue Shieldbug, blue shield bug
Zicrona caerulea is a small predatory shield bug in the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Asopinae. Adults measure 5–8 mm and display a striking uniform metallic blue-green coloration, with immatures showing red abdomens with black markings. This univoltine species is a documented predator of leaf beetles (Altica spp.), beetle larvae, and moth caterpillars, though it has also been observed feeding on plants. It overwinters as an adult and produces new adults from July onwards.