114 MISC. PUBLICATION 657, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
Most species of Heteroptera are equipped with a fluid or gas, which 
they expel when disturbed. This material may be highly disagreeable 
and is assumed to have a protective value. 
A general work by Blatchley (50), treating the Heteroptera of 
eastern North America, will be found of value in identifying species 
and providing information as to habits and distribution. 
Famity PENTATOMIDAE 
Insects in this family are generally referred to as “stinkbugs,” 
because all of them emit a characteristic disagreeable odor when 
disturbed. They are fairly large bugs, ranging in length from 5 to 
18 mm., and look short, br oad, an slightly convex. In male Northern 
States and Canada they pass the winter in the adult stage under 
debris, loose bark, logs, and similar material. They usually deposit 
their eggs in spring or early in the summer. In the South almost 
any stage in the hfe cycle may be found throughout the year. 
Several species of pentatomids may be encountered on forest growth 
at one time or another, but probably none are ever so injurious as to ° 
warrant alarm or the application of artificial control measures. 
The subfamily Asopinae includes several species of predators which 
are of importance in our forests because they aid in controlling in- 
jurious insect species. 
SUBFAMILY ASOPINAE 
The pentatomids in this subfamily vary in size, form, and general 
appearance. In all species, however, the head extends forward almost 
horizontally, the beak is stout, and the tarsi are three-jointed. In 
the United States they are considered beneficial, because most of the 
species are predaceous on various destructive insects, at least during 
a part of their lives. 
The bordered soldier bug (Stiretrus anchorago (I .)),a shiny, dark 
metallic insect sometimes tinged with bronze, measures from 8 to 11 
mm. in length and feeds on gypsy moth larvae and tent caterpillars. 
The spined soldier bug (Podisus maculiventris (Say) ), 1s one of 
the most beneficial of our predaceous pentatomids, as more than 30 
species of destructive insects have been listed as being attacked by it. 
It is a fairly large bug, from 10 to 13.5 mm. long. Tt is dull vellow 
above, marked with numerous fuscous punctures, which produce a 
dull-brown effect. It has two generations in the North and more in 
the South. 
Podisus serieventris Uhler, a species that attacks the larvae of many 
destructive insects, is from 9.5 to 11.5 mm. long. It has from one to 
three generations annually. 
Podisus modestus (Dallas) and P. placidus Uhler, the first a pale 
reddish-brown bug from 9 to 10.6 mm. long, and the second a brown 
bug with darker punctations and 7.5 to 11 mm. long, are sometimes 
important as predators. 
Apateticus cynicus (Say), A. bracteatus (Fitch), and Perillus cir- 
cumcinctus Stal. comprise the rest of the species in this subfamily that 
may be important as aids in controlling other insects. A. cynicus 1s 
rather large, from 15 to 20 mm. long, and is dull yellow to pale brown, 
with dark reddish punctures. A. bracteatus is from 13 to 17 mm. long, 
is dull yellow thickly marked with reddish or greenish punctures, and 
