Stink Bugs Pentatomidae

Aposematic species from two different families produce pungent pyrazines, presumably as an additional warning to potential predators of their toxicity. These include Oncopeltus fasciatus (Lygaeidae, seed bug family) that secretes 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine [28], and the stink bug Murgantia histrionica (Pentatomidae), that oozes froth containing 2-isobutyl- and 2-sec-butyl-3-methoxypyrazine when molested [39]. 

Stink bugs (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) for example are well known for the odorous volatile secretion they emit from their metathoracic glands when molested [175]. 

Extract of odors collected from sexually mature males of the green stink bug, Acrostemum hilare Ssy (Hemiptera Pentatomidae), showed one major sex-specific component, (45)- r-(Z )-bisabolene epoxide [(45)-cis-2 -BAE]. The crude extract was attractive to females, but when separated into four fractions, only the portion containing (45)-c -2 -BAE and the minor component AS)-trans-Z- AE was attractive to females. The fraction was as attractive as the crude extract suggesting that the former contained all the components. Neither the cis- nor the trans- BAE alone was attractive to females, but a 95 5 cis-.trans blend, mimicking the ratio naturally produced by males was attractive to females in Y-tube bioassays. " ... 

The male produced sex pheromone of the red-shouldered stink bug, Thyantapallidovirens Stal (Hemiptera Pentatomidae), was shown to consist of a blend of methyl ( "2, Z 4,. Z6)-decatrienoate and the sesquiterpenes (+)-a-curcumene, (—)-zingiberene and (—)-P-sesquiphellandrene. In laboratory bioassays, sexually mature males attracted sexually mature females but not males, and females did not attract either sex. Pheromone... 

Millar, J. G., Rice, R. E., Steffan, S. A., Daane, . M., Cullen, E. and Zalom, F. G. (2001). Attraction of female digger wasps, Astata occidentalis Cresson (Hymenoptera Sphecidae) to the sex pheromone of the stink bug Thyanta pallidovirens (Hemiptera Pentatomidae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist 77 244-248. 

Of the best-known insect orders, only the Hemiptera, the true bugs, stand out as a group without a clearly recognized JH. An early report identified JH I as the principal hormone in the hemolymph of the adult female bean beetle, Riptortus clavatus (Hemiptera Alydidae) by gas chromatography—MS (GC—MS).78 It was reported that, of the three compounds JH I, II, and III, JH I was the most effective for inducing yolk protein synthesis in diapausing adults of this species.78 More recently, it has been reported that a compound close to JH III, but not JH III, is the hormone in the two spotted stink bug Perillus bioculatus (Hemiptera Pentatomidae). Production of this hormone is stimulated by farnesol, a known precursor of JH III.79... 

Boethel, D.J. J.S. Russin A.T. Weir M.B. Layton J.S. Mink M.L. Boyd. Delayed maturity associated with southern green stink bug (Heteroptera Pentatomidae) injury at various stink bug phonological stages./. EconomicEntomol. 2000, 93, 707-712. 

Gore, J. C.A. Abel J.J. Adamczyk G. Snodgrass. Influence of soybean planting date and maturity group on stink bug (Heteroptera Pentatomidae) populations. Environ. Entomol. 2006, 35, 531-536. 

Ishiwatari, T. (1974) Studies on the scent of stink bugs (Hemiptera Pentatomidae). I. Alarm pheromone activity. Appl. ent. Zool., 9, 153-8. 

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