Subfamily Asopinae - Predatory Stink Bugs (original) (raw)

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Infraorder Pentatomomorpha

Superfamily Pentatomoidea

Family Pentatomidae (Stink Bugs)

Subfamily Asopinae (Predatory Stink Bugs)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

no generally accepted tribal arrangement exists

Explanation of Names

Asopinae Spinola 1850

Numbers

35 spp. in 16 genera in our area(1), ~300 spp. in 66 genera worldwide(2)

Identification

easily recognized by the free first segment of the rostrum(3); rostrum enlarged, very little of it fits between bucculae(4)

see(5)

"In identifying asopines it helps to be color blind" (D.B. Thomas)

Range

worldwide and throughout NA(1)

Food

Predatory, unlike other stink bugs; feed on other insects. Prey is primarily slow-moving soft-bodied insects, especially larvae. Most are generalist predators.

Remarks

Several species are used in Integrated Pest Management. Some are commercially available, e. g. Podisus maculiventris.

Works Cited