There are many insects in the world, each species of which is distinguished by something special. The stink beetle was not an exception, one name of which is able to say about its "outstanding" features. What kind of bug is it and why does it smell bad? Let's get it right.
First of all, it must be said that, in fact, a bug is hidden under the guise of a bug. And if only a few years ago people knew perfectly about their bed relatives, today they are much more likely to encounter the consequences of the activity of these small insects themselves.
Who at least once in my life did not come across a berry on which a stink beetle crawled? Impressions are certainly unforgettable!
Oddly enough, not only folk rumor, but also the scientific fraternity calls the stinks of these creations, since under this epithet lies the collective name of several bedbug species at once.
In a word, there are a lot of odorous pests, and they are found all over the world. So, the American stink beetle is an Asian bug bug (Halyomorpha halys). He is a real scourge of agriculture.
Speaking scientifically, this family is called Real Shields. In Latin - Pentatomidae. These are the most advanced and evolutionarily developed bugs. Most of the species of the family feed on plant foods, but there are many predators.
In any case, the guards can be recognized from afar, as their bright warning coloring ahead of time signals a danger. In their colors, nature used red, yellow, blue and black colors, as well as many of their shades. The Italian striped bug is completely similar to the black and red mask of some African shaman.
In particular, California farmers this year suffered a real smelly invasion, literally using buckets to catch this pest on their fields.
The odor is not too pleasant due to the protection mechanisms of these insects. In their bodies there are special glands that produce a caustic liquid with a disgusting odor.
Moreover, the stink beetle does not just scare away potential enemies: the chemical reagent, penetrating the cuticle of other insects, acts deadly on them. Thus, his “fragrance” is a means of preventive protection.
It is not surprising that there are very few predators eating stinky species. There is no harm to the bedbug from its own means of chemical attack, since its cover is impervious to reagents, and the glands themselves are surrounded by dense tissues that do not allow their contents to contact with other parts of the body.
By the way, the stink beetle smells already from the "infant" age, since the glands function perfectly even in larvae. This gives them extra protection. It is so reliable that often the number of bugs can be reduced only using strong chemical reagents.
By the way, their smell is not only a means of protection, but also communication. The fact is that odors of pheromones are mixed with the stench of protective glands, which the human nose cannot grasp.
Bed bugs with their help find sexual partners, warn each other about the danger and simply mark the road.
As for our country, we have a widespread stink bug (photo of which is in the article) called a harmful bug. Latin name - Eurygaster integriceps. This is the worst enemy of domestic agriculture.
