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Bug of the Week: Stink Bug

February 8, 2012 / / 10 Comments

Spring is about to burst forth here and more insects are starting to appear again.

Take this stink bug, for example. It wandered up out of the foliage while I was watering.

How do I know it is a stink bug, family Pentatomidae? First of all, it has a wide, flat back that is shaped like an old-fashioned shield. That is why another common name for this group is “shield bug.” I know it is a bug because of the triangular-shaped piece in the middle of its back, called a scutellum.

Why are they called stink bugs? Many members of the Order Hemiptera release a distinctive odors from special glands whenever they are disturbed. Some of the odors, but not all, are unpleasant. This one never produced an odor while I was watching it.

As a group, stink bugs are unusual because some are plant feeders and others are predators of insects. How do you tell which one you have? If you are an experienced entomologist you will check the proboscis, or straw-like mouthparts. The plant feeding types have a thinner, more flexible proboscis.

The fact it is feeding on the lettuce I offered it is another big clue. 🙂

Check out the cool illustration of stink bug anatomy I found:


(It is by Giancarlodessi at Wikimedia)

A: head; B: thorax; C: abdomen.
1: claws; 2: tarsus; 3: tibia; 4: femur; 8: compound eye; 9: antenna; 10: clypeus; 23: laterotergites; 25: pronotum; 26: scutellum; 27: clavus; 28: corium; 29: embolium; 30: membrane.

(27-30 represent parts of the wing)

Stink bugs aren’t the prettiest insects in the world, but don’t you think they are more interesting once you get to know them?

Mystery Seed of the Week 102

February 7, 2012 / / 1 Comment

These little seeds are pretty tiny, so this one might not be quite fair.

So, here are some hints:  the plants are common in the Southwest.

At least some kinds are about to flower right now. They have a stalk of bell-like flowers that are often shades of pink or red. Hummingbirds love them.

Any idea which plant might grow from these tiny seeds?

Edit:  The answer is now posted.

Seed of the Week: Hostas

February 7, 2012 / / 0 Comments

As Karen correctly guessed, our mystery seeds from last week were from a hosta, Hosta sp.

Hostas are shade-loving members of the lily family. There are numerous species and varieties, which vary in leaf size and color. Usually the leaves are roughly heart shaped. As you can see here, they grow in similar conditions as ferns.

Hostas are perennials, but they do go dormant in the winter. If your plant collapses with the approach of winter, be patient and it will likely regrow in the spring.

Hostas are generally grown for their foliage, although they do produce flower stalks with numerous bell-shaped flowers (towards the back, left of center.)

This video shows a bee pollinating hosta flowers. (There is an ad)

The stalks you saw last week dry out and release dark-colored seeds.

hosta seed

Most people start their hostas by separating existing plants, but this pointed black seed will grow also into a new hosta plant.

If you are interested in growing hostas from seed, here is more information on how to collect and store the seeds.

Do hostas grow where you live?

Have you ever started a hosta from seed?

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