Corresponding author: C. Scott Bundy (
Academic editor: A. Wheeler
The life history of the stink bug
Bundy CS, McPherson JE (2018) Life history of
The stink bug genus
Scattered notes have been published on the field life cycle of
During 2003 and 2004 several reproducing populations of
The field study was conducted in Las Cruces (Doña Ana Co.), New Mexico, from January 2005 through December 2007, supplemented with additional observations in spring and summer of 2017. Two field sites (site 1:
Weekly sampling was initiated at both sites in late January 2005 and continued through mid-December 2007. Approximately six sets of 25 sweeps were taken with a sweep net (38 cm diam.) at each site per date, counts of nymphs and adults recorded when possible, and the animals released. Specimens that could not be determined to instar(s) were preserved in 80% ethanol (EtOH) for closer examination in the laboratory. Eggs were recorded from visual observations. Representative samples of the eggs and nymphs were preserved in 80% EtOH and examined in the laboratory to spot-check field determinations. During each collecting trip, observations were made on the bugs’ activities and development on host plants. Life history data on reproduction and development for the 3 years of this study, plus the observational data from 2017 noted above, were combined to gain a better understanding of the annual life cycle.
The egg previously has been described by
Measurements are expressed as means ± SE; standard errors <0.005 are listed as 0.00.
Samples of instars have been vouchered in the New Mexico State Arthropod Collection in Las Cruces, NM.
This species was active through the year, including the winter months (Figs
Field life cycle of
Field life cycle of
Eggs (
The first instars (a non-feeding stage) were collected in January, April, July, September, and October (
The number of generations per year in this species is difficult to determine because of the marked overlap of the times of occurrences of the instars and the generations and the lack of definite peaks in abundance during each generation. Based on the early presence of all stages in the field (January), all stages might have overwintered. However, it is more likely that adults, fourth, and fifth instars, which were collected in December, overwintered, whereas eggs and first–third instars began development in January. In either scenario, the result would be spring and summer generations, with the summer generation reaching adults in the fall. If these adults did not reproduce during late fall, this would represent a bivoltine species. However, if adults produced some offspring in the fall that overwintered, this would represent a partial third generation. We believe a partial third is more likely for southern New Mexico. Specimens collected in 2017 supported the life history data from the 2005–2007 study.
Measurements (means ± SE, mm) of
Nymph | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First instar | Second instar | Third instar | Fourth instar | Fifth instar | |
Body lengthb | 1.18±0.03 | 2.06±0.03 | 3.17±0.07 | 4.51±0.15 | 7.62±0.17 |
Body lengthc | 1.16±0.03 | 2.02±0.03 | 3.16±0.06 | 4.53±0.15 | 7.78±0.17 |
Head lengthd | 0.49±0.01 | 0.59±0.01 | 0.76±0.01 | 1.05±0.01 | 1.35±0.01 |
Head lengthe | 0.44±0.01 | 0.54±0.01 | 0.74±0.01 | 1.09±0.01 | 1.49±0.02 |
Thorax widthf | 0.68±0.02 | 0.92±0.02 | 1.31±0.01 | 2.00±0.04 | 2.92±0.06 |
Abdomen widthg | 0.72±0.03 | 1.09±0.02 | 1.75±0.04 | 2.40±0.09 | 2.99±0.11 |
Width across eyes | 0.50±0.01 | 0.66±0.01 | 0.82±0.01 | 1.12±0.01 | 1.45±0.02 |
Synthlipsis | 0.38±0.00 | 0.48±0.01 | 0.58±0.01 | 0.79±0.01 | 0.97±0.02 |
Antennal segments | |||||
First | 0.10±0.00 | 0.16±0.00 | 0.24±0.01 | 0.33±0.01 | 0.45±0.01 |
Second | 0.18±0.00 | 0.42±0.01 | 0.65±0.01 | 1.06±0.02 | 1.65±0.05 |
Third | 0.14±0.00 | 0.30±0.01 | 0.44±0.01 | 0.65±0.01 | 0.93±0.02 |
Fourth | 0.28±0.01 | 0.42±0.01 | 0.50±0.01 | 0.67±0.01 | 0.83±0.01 |
Labial segments | |||||
First | 0.13±0.00 | 0.22±0.00 | 0.31±0.01 | 0.44±0.01 | 0.62±0.02 |
Second | 0.19±0.02 | 0.39±0.00 | 0.50±0.01 | 0.73±0.01 | 1.02±0.02 |
Third | 0.14±0.00 | 0.22±0.01 | 0.30±0.01 | 0.36±0.01 | 0.51±0.01 |
Fourth | 0.18±0.00 | 0.27±0.01 | 0.32±0.00 | 0.41±0.01 | 0.57±0.01 |
Notal lengthsh | |||||
Pronotum | 0.12±0.00 | 0.22±0.01 | 0.34±0.01 | 0.54±0.01 | 0.94±0.02 |
Mesonotum | 0.08±0.00 | 0.16±0.00 | 0.32±0.00 | 0.66±0.01 | 1.33±0.04 |
Metanotum | 0.03±0.00 | 0.04±0.00 | 0.05±0.01 | 0.07±0.00 | 0.04±0.00 |
Leg lengths | |||||
Protrochanter | 0.12±0.00 | 0.16±0.01 | 0.20±0.01 | 0.30±0.01 | 0.42±0.01 |
Profemur | 0.26±0.01 | 0.45±0.01 | 0.63±0.01 | 0.99±0.01 | 1.46±0.04 |
Protibia | 0.31±0.01 | 0.53±0.02 | 0.74±0.01 | 1.10±0.02 | 1.61±0.03 |
Protarsus | 0.22±0.00 | 0.28±0.01 | 0.36±0.01 | 0.52±0.02 | 0.75±0.02 |
Protarsomeresi | |||||
First | 0.08±0.00 | 0.11±0.00 | 0.16±0.01 | 0.25±0.01 | 0.39±0.01 |
Second | 0.18±0.00 | 0.22±0.01 | 0.26±0.00 | 0.35±0.01 | 0.48±0.01 |
Mesotrochanter | 0.12±0.00 | 0.16±0.01 | 0.21±0.01 | 0.27±0.01 | 0.40±0.02 |
Mesofemur | 0.28±0.01 | 0.45±0.02 | 0.59±0.01 | 0.89±0.01 | 1.27±0.02 |
Mesotibia | 0.31±0.01 | 0.53±0.02 | 0.73±0.01 | 1.05±0.02 | 1.53±0.03 |
Mesotarsus | 0.22±0.00 | 0.29±0.01 | 0.37±0.01 | 0.50±0.01 | 0.70±0.01 |
Mesotarsomeresi | |||||
First | 0.08±0.00 | 0.11±0.00 | 0.17±0.01 | 0.23±0.00 | 0.35±0.01 |
Second | 0.18±0.00 | 0.22±0.01 | 0.27±0.00 | 0.34±0.01 | 0.44±0.01 |
Metatrochanter | 0.12±0.00 | 0.15±0.01 | 0.21±0.01 | 0.32±0.01 | 0.44±0.01 |
Metafemur | 0.29±0.01 | 0.51±0.01 | 0.92±0.02 | 1.14±0.03 | 1.86±0.03 |
Metatibia | 0.37±0.01 | 0.66±0.02 | 0.36±0.01 | 1.44±0.03 | 2.19±0.04 |
Metatarsus | 0.23±0.00 | 0.27±0.01 | 0.36±0.01 | 0.52±0.01 | 0.75±0.02 |
Metatarsomeresi | |||||
First | 0.08±0.00 | 0.12±0.00 | 0.16±0.00 | 0.24±0.00 | 0.38±0.01 |
Second | 0.18±0.00 | 0.22±0.01 | 0.27±0.00 | 0.35±0.01 | 0.47±0.01 |
aMeasurements based on 10 individuals per instar. bMeasured from apex of tylus to apex of abdomen with head in normal declivent position. cMeasured from apex to juga (often exceeding tylus) to apex of abdomen with head in normal declivent position. dMeasured from apex of tylus to apex of head in horizontal position. eMeasured from apex of juga to apex of head in horizontal position. fMeasured across mesonotum. gfMeasured across abdominal segments 3–4 . hMeasured across midline. iTotal length of measured segments > overall length because of curvature.
Head yellowish brown to light brown, often with two broad, dark brown, longitudinal stripes submedially, running from apex of tylus to near or reaching posterior margin of head; yellowish-brown region mesad of eye, sometimes extending posteromedially to posterior margin of head and merging medially with that of other side; head declivent, anterolateral margins sinuate; tylus distinctly exceeding juga in length. Antennae 4-segmented, often concolorous with head; dorsal surface of segment 2 with dorsomedial surface not carinate, rounded in cross section; apical segment longest, fusiform; ratio of antennal segment lengths ≈1:1.8:1.4:2.8. Labium 4-segmented, generally concolorous with head, segment 4 often darker, particularly distally.
Thoracic nota yellowish brown to darker laterally; faint yellowish medial stripe present; dark brown longitudinal stripes absent. Pro- and mesonota completely sclerotized, medial areas weakly extended posteriorly, posterior margins straight either side of midline. Metanotum sclerotized only in anterior 1/2, forming plate, this plate narrowed medially, posterior margin straight; posterior margin of segment (i.e., membranous area) also straight; mediolongitudinal line extending from anterior margin of pronotum to posterior margin of metanotal plate. Ratio of pro-, meso-, and metanota (sclerotized and membranous portions combined) ≈1:0.7:0.3. Pleura and sterna brown to yellowish brown. Legs concolorous with body except for distal tip of tarsomere 2, which may be dark brown.
Abdomen yellowish brown dorsally with thin brownish sublateral longitudinal stripe either side and, often, with reddish markings. Faint brown medial (3–4) and lateral (9) plates present: medial plates poorly defined; plate 1 obscure, narrow, rectangular, plates 2–3 subquadrate, plate 4, when present, minute, paired, oval; plates 1–3 each with paired ostioles; lateral plates extending dorsally and ventrally from lateral edge of abdomen: plate 1 rounded dorsally; plates 2 – 9 subquadrate; faint pseudointersegmental lines present mesad of lateral plates 1–8. Ventral surface mostly concolorous with corresponding dorsal surface, ventral extensions of lateral plates similar to dorsal extensions. Abdominal spiracles on segments 2–8, each near lateral margin of corresponding segment. Single trichobothrium (primary trichobothrium) posteromesad of each spiracle on segments 3–7, arising from dark brown sclerite.
Head, dorsally, with pair of distinct dark submedial stripes, extending from inner margin of juga (and outer margin of tylus) to posterior margin of metanotum; short lateral dark stripe extending from near antenniferous tubercle through eye to posterior margin of head, anterolateral margins straight to weakly sinuate (depending upon angle of view); tylus distinctly longer than juga. Dorsal surface of antennal segment 2 with dorsomedial surface not carinate, rounded in cross section; ratio of antennal segment lengths ≈1:2.6:1.9:2.6.
Thorax, dorsally, with pair of distinct sublateral dark brown stripes in addition to submedial pair. Pro- and mesonota with medial areas moderately extended posteriorly, posterior margins straight either side of midline. Ratio of pro-, meso-, and metanota ≈1:0.7:0.2. Pleural area light brown with one to two longitudinal stripes, one dorsopleural, the other ventropleural; dorsopleural stripe always present, extending from posterior margin of head to posterior margin of thorax, a much narrower ventropleural stripe occasionally present (absent in lighter individuals) adjacent to coxae, paralleling dorsopleural stripe. Tarsi dark brown, often extending to distal portion of femur in dark individuals.
Abdomen, dorsally, with medial plates more heavily sclerotized; plates 1–3 with lateral/sublateral margins dark brown extending mediad, in darker specimens, extensions of plates 2–3 may reach almost to the midline; plate 4 present, slightly larger. Ventrally, sclerite surrounding each primary trichobothrium larger. Second, smaller trichobothrium (secondary trichobothrium) present on segments 3–7, adjacent to and slightly laterad of primary trichobothrium, each arising from dark brown sclerite, sclerite smaller than that associated with primary trichobothrium. Otherwise, like first instar.
Mesonotum with medial area strongly extended posteriorly, posterior margin rounded medially, weakly arcuate laterally; mediolongitudinal line faint, usually extending from anterior margin of pronotum to near posterior margin of mesonotum. Submedial and sublateral stripes less distinct, often broken or reduced to a series of punctures, particularly caudad. Ratio of pro-, meso-, and metanota ≈1:0.9:0.1. Pleura with ventropleural stripe absent, region concolorous with thorax.
Abdomen with lateral plates, dorsally and ventrally, often darkly pigmented along lateral margins. Ventrally, sclerites surrounding primary trichobothria larger, often evident as distinct spots in darker specimens. Otherwise, like second instar.
The five instars are readily distinguishable by characters other than differences in body size. The first instar differs from later instars by the absence of distinct dorsal submedial and sublateral longitudinal stripes on the nota; the thoracic pleura, which are completely brown and lack stripes; and the presence of a single trichobothrium posteromesad of each spiracle on segments 3–7. Older instars have distinct submedial and sublateral stripes on the nota, the thoracic pleura usually have two longitudinal stripes, one dorsal, one ventral; and two trichobothria are present posteromesad of each spiracle on abdominal segments 3–7. The second instar can be distinguished from older instars by the juga, which exceeds the length of the tylus; the dorsal surface of antennal segment 2, which is rounded; the posterior margin of the mesonotum, which is moderately extended medially, straight either side of midline; and the presence of two well-developed thoracic pleural stripes, which are unbroken. Older instars have the juga equal to or longer than the tylus; the dorsal surface of antennal segment 2 is carinate; the posterior margin of the mesonotum is strongly extended medially, arcuate laterally; and the thoracic pleural stripes are broken. The third instar can be distinguished from the fourth and fifth instars by the juga and tylus, which are equal in length, posterior margin of mesonotum, which is weakly arcuate laterally, and by the lack of wing pads. The fourth and fifth instars have the juga distinctly longer than the tylus, posterior margin of the mesonotum is strongly arcuate laterally, and the wing pads that are easily discernible. The fourth and fifth instars can be distinguished by the lengths of the wing pads, which reach abdominal segment 2 in the fourth and abdominal segments 3 or 4 in the fifth.
It is with a great deal of pleasure that we dedicate this paper to Dr. Tom Henry on the occasion of his 70th birthday in recognition of his outstanding contributions to our understanding of the systematics and bionomics of the