are stink bugs a realistic problem today in america?
Yes, stink bugs can seriously damage American crops. If disturbed, stink bugs will emit a pungent liquid, whose rancid almond smell is due to cyanide compounds. Their antennae are 5-segmented, which gives the family its name. Their bodies are usually shield-shaped. The stink bugs have thick wing covers known as shields. Many stink bugs and shield bugs are considered agricultural pest insects, because they can create large populations; they suck plant juices and damage crop production, and they are resistant to many pesticides. However, some genera of Pentatomidae are considered highly beneficial; the anchor bug, which can be distinguished by the red-orange anchor shape on the adult, is one example. It is a predator of other insects, especially Mexican bean beetles, Japanese beetles, and other pest insects. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.
Hold your noses — the stink bugs are moving indoors Fortunately, the critters are harmless and won’t last long By Ann Butler, Globe Correspondent | November 12, 2006 They seem innocent enough, the slow-moving, reddish-brown bugs that take half an afternoon to cross the room. You know the ones: You may find one snug as a bug in your towel as you step out of the shower; later you spot another one watching you comb your hair from its perch on a door molding. If you do the right thing and gently escort it to the nearest exit, it repays the favor by emitting a foul-smelling scent. (Be aware: While you’re being a good insect Samaritan, you’re probably letting two more in.) Ah, fall in New England: foliage, pumpkins, and the repeated cry: Mom, there’s a stink bug in my room. “They’re everywhere — upstairs, downstairs, in every room. I just found one in the living room where no one ever goes, and I’m thinking: How did it get there?” said Kathy Siracusa, a Wayland resident who works for the W
