FAMILY PENTATOMIDAE 
STINK BUGS 
Pentatomids are commonly called “stink bugs’ because of the 
disagreeable odor they emit when disturbed. The adult is usually 
a broad, short, slightly convex insect. The antennae are five-seg- 
mented and the head and thorax sometimes form a triangle. Many 
species are brightly colored or conspicuously marked. Green ones 
may be difficult to detect on leaves. Dark gray ones are also diffi- 
cult to see when they rest on the bark of limbs and trunks of 
trees. Most species are plant feeders, but some feed on other in- 
sects, and some feed on both. 
Tetrya bipunctata (H.-S.) has been recorded feeding on slash 
and longleaf pine cones in the South. Adults are dark reddish- 
brown and about 15 mm. long. Because of their coloring, they are 
not readily noticeable when motionless on a cone. Females lay 
eggs on needles near cone clusters. The nymphs are gregarious. 
When they reach the third instar they begin to feed on the seeds 
within green closed cones. This type of feeding is continued in 
the adult stage (188). 
Other plant feeding species and their hosts include the follow- 
ing: (a) Brochymena quadripustulata (Fab.)—feeds through the 
bark of limbs and trunks of elm, oak, and willow. Brownish, hair- 
like lines running across the grain in the cambial region are evi- 
dence of its attack. Adults frequently overwinter in houses. (b) 
B. carolinensis (Fabr.) —feeds through the bark of slash and long- 
leaf pines. (c) Elasmuche lateralis (Say)—feeds on the leaves and 
catkins of yellow birch (also reported feeding on the larvae of 
Tetralopha asperatella in the Lake States). (d) Pitedia uhleri 
(Stal.)—feeds on the larger branches and trunks of white pines 
in the Lake States. | 
Predacious species include: (a) the spined soldier bug, Podisus 
maculiventris (Say). It has been recorded feeding on more than 
30 species of destructive insects, many of which are forest pests. 
The adult is dull yellow above, with numerous dark brown punc- 
tures and is about 12 mm. long. (b) Stiretus anchorago (F.) feeds 
on the larvae of many species, including the gypsy moth and tent 
ei area Adults are shiny, dark metallic, and 8 to 11 mm. 
ong. 
FAMILY TINGIDAE 
THE LACE BUGS 
Lace bugs, so-called because of their broad gauzelike or lace- 
like wing covers, are small and usually whitish. They are also 
flat, oval, or rectangular with reticulated surfaces and are about 
5 or 6 mm. long. The head is often hidden beneath a large hood 
on the front of a greatly modified pronotum, which projects be- 
yond the sides of the body. The abdomen is completely hidden by 
the wing covers, which are frequently transparent. The nymphs 
are black and often covered with long spines. 
Many species of lace bugs live and feed on the under-surfaces 
of leaves. A given species usually occurs either on a single host 
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