10 Fascinating Facts About Stink Bugs

Stink bugs arent particularly beloved bugs, but that doesnt mean they arent interesting insects. Take a few minutes to learn more about their natural history and unusual behaviors, and see if you agree. Here are 10 fascinating facts about stink bugs. 1.  Stink bugs do, indeed, stink. Yes, its true, stink bugs stink. When a stink bug feels threatened, it releases a pungent substance from special glands on its last thoracic segment, repelling nearly any predator that has a sense of smell (or functioning chemoreceptors). If you want a demonstration of this insects infamous skill, give a stink bug a gentle squeeze between your fingers, holding it along its sides. Before you condemn stink bugs for their pungent habit, you should know that all kinds of insects put up a stink when disturbed, including those well-loved ladybugs. 2.  Some stink bugs help control pests. Though most stink bugs are plant feeders and many are significant agricultural pests, not all stink bugs are bad. Stink bugs in the subfamily Asopinae are predators of other insects, and they play an important role in keeping plant pests under control. The spined soldier bug (Podisus maculiventris) is easy to identify thanks to the prominent points or spines extending from its shoulders. Welcome this beneficial predator into your garden, where it will feed on leaf beetle larvae, caterpillars, and other problem pests. 3.  Stink bugs are really bugs. Taxonomically speaking, that is. The word bug is often used as a nickname for insects in general, and even for noninsect arthropods like spiders, centipedes, and millipedes. But any entomologist will tell you that the term bug actually refers to members of a specific order or group of insects—the order Hemiptera. These insects are properly known as true bugs, and the group includes all manner of bugs, from bed bugs to plant bugs to stink bugs. 4.  Some stink bug mothers (and a few fathers) guard their young. Some stink bug species exhibit parental care of their offspring. The stink bug mother will stand guard over her cluster of eggs, aggressively defending them from predators and acting as a shield to dissuade parasitic wasps from attempting to lay eggs in them. Shell usually stick around after her nymphs hatch, too, at least for the first instar. A recent study noted two stink bug species in which the fathers guarded the eggs, decidedly unusual behavior for male insects. 5.  Stink bugs belong to the family Pentatomidae, meaning five parts. William Elford Leach, English zoologist and marine biologist, chose the name Pentatomidae for the stink bug family in 1815. The word derives from the Greek pente, meaning five, and tomos, meaning sections. Theres some disagreement today about whether Leach was referring to the stink bugs five-segmented antennae or to the five sides of its shield-shaped body. But whether or not we know Leachs original intent, you now know two of the traits that will help you identify a stink bug. 6.  A stink bugs worst enemy is a tiny, parasitic wasp. Though stink bugs are fairly good at repelling predators with the sheer force of their stink, this defensive strategy doesnt do much good when it comes to deterring parasitic wasps. There are all kinds of teeny wasps that love to lay their eggs in stink bug eggs. The wasps young parasitize the stink bug eggs, which never hatch. A single adult wasp can parasitize several hundred stink bug eggs. Studies show that egg mortality can reach well over 80% when egg parasitoids are present. The good news (for farmers, not for stink bugs) is that parasitic wasps can be used as effective biocontrols for pest stink bug species. 7.  Stink bug sex isnt particularly romantic. Stink bug males arent the most romantic blokes. A courting stink bug male will touch the female with his antennae, working his way to her nether end. Sometimes, hell headbutt her a little to get her attention. If shes willing, shell lift her hind end a bit to show her interest. If she isnt receptive to his overture, the male may use his head to push her bum up, but he risks being kicked in the head if she really doesnt like him. Stink bug mating occurs in an end-to-end position and can last for hours. During this time, the female often drags the male around behind her as she continues to feed. 8.  Some stink bugs are brilliantly colored. While many stink bugs are masters of disguise camouflaged in shades of green or brown, some bugs are quite flamboyant and showy. If you love to photograph colorful insects, look for the harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica) in its vibrant orange, black, and white costume. Another beauty is the two-spotted stink bug (Perillus bioculatus), wearing the familiar red and black warning colors with unusual flair. For a subtler but equally stunning specimen, try a red-shouldered stink bug (Thyanta spp.), with its faint rosy stripe along the top of the scutellum (triangular shield in the center of its back). 9.  Young stink bugs suck on their eggshells after hatching. When they first hatch from their barrel-shaped eggs, stink bug nymphs remain huddled together around the broken eggshells. Scientists believe these first instar nymphs suck on secretions on the eggshells to acquire needed gut symbionts. A study of this behavior in the Japanese common plataspid stinkbug (Megacopta punctatissima) revealed that these symbionts affect nymph behavior. Young stink bugs that didnt get adequate symbionts after hatching tended to wander away from the group. 10.  Stink bug nymphs are gregarious (at first). Stink bug nymphs usually remain gregarious for a short period of time after hatching, as they begin to feed and molt. You can still find third instar nymphs hanging out together on their favorite host plant, but by the fourth instar, they usually disperse. Sources Capinera, John L. Encyclopedia of Entomology. 2nd ed., Springer, 2008. Eaton, Eric R. and Kenn Kaufman. Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America: The Easiest Guides for Fast Identification. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2007. Layton, Blake and Scott Stewart. â€Å"Stink Bug Egg Parasitoids,† University of Tennessee  Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. https://epp.tennessee.edu. Accessed 10 Feb 2015. McPherson, J. E.  and Robert McPherson. Stink Bugs of Economic Importance in America North of Mexico. CRC Press, 2000. Newton, Blake. â€Å"Stink Bugs.† University of Kentucky Entomology Department. entomology.ca.uky.edu. Accessed 6 Feb. 2015. Takahiro Hosokawa, Yoshitomo Kikuchi, Masakazu Shimada, et al. â€Å"Symbiont acquisition alters behaviour of stinkbug nymphs,† Biology Letters, Feb. 23, 2008. Accessed February 10, 2015. Triplehorn, Charles and Norman F. Johnson. Borror’s Introduction to the Study of Insects. 7th ed., Cengage Learning, 2004. Requena, Gustavo S., Tais M. Nazareth, Cristiano F. Schwertner, et al. â€Å"First cases of exclusive paternal care in stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae),† Dec. 2010. Accessed 6 Feb. 2015.

Essay on Body Image and Eating Disorders Among Young...

Ballet is a beautiful and romantic type of performance art. It originated in the Italian court systems in the 15th century (Jonas). Since its origination, ballet has undergone many changes and gained worldwide recognition. Filled with elaborate costumes, cheering audiences, lights, weightless movements and beauty; ballet is admired by many. On the magical stage ballerinas can become whoever they wan to be, and perform in a world of fantasy. For these reasons, children, especially little girls, all over the world dream of becoming ballerinas when they grow up. However, becoming a professional ballerina is an extremely difficult accomplishment, in which few will achieve (Kelso 1). The world of ballet may seem to be filled with glitz and†¦show more content†¦Dance is a â€Å"highly competitive, high-pressure and physically demanding profession† (Dunning). Ballet students are constantly monitored on their body weight. Most dance companies have what is called an â€Å"ap pearance clause† written into their contracts. This clause specifies that if a dancer gains an excessive amount of weight she could be released from the company (Kelso 2). For this, many dance companies and schools require that their students participate in frequent weigh-ins (Price and Pettijohn 991). Often times these weigh-ins are unannounced and the dancers are unaware of them. Their weight is recorded and even announced in front of other dancers in the class (Kelso). Through these weigh-ins, dance company directors and teachers constantly push their dancers to be extremely thin. If their weight is too high they will be pressured to loose it. Dancers can be both rewarded or punished based on their weight. A dancer could be rewarded by gaining a role in a ballet, and praised by the directors. On the other hand, if she did not loose the weight she could risk not being cast at all (Kelso). This constant monitoring, embarrassment and scrutiny of there weight cause the dance rs to be even more cautious about their weight. The reason that these dancers have to maintain such a low weight is due to the standards set by one individual. George Balanchine is a world renowned dancer and choreographer. One of the majorShow MoreRelatedThe Ballet Physique as Molded by Media Essay2346 Words   |  10 Pagesfactors behind body dissatisfaction, concerns about weight, and disordered eating behavior†( Levine, Murnen 2009). The media acts as an influential force where society’s views of body image and health are used to brainwash the minds of its consumers. The constant pressure exuded by the media affects many individuals in society. Whether it is an ad on a passing bus, or a commercial broadcasted into family homes, the media finds its way to penetrate and convey certain perceptions of body and healthRead More Eating Disorders and Ballet - Anorexia Nervosa is Eating the Soul of Young Dancers3494 Words   |  14 PagesEating Disorders and Ballet - Anorexia Nervosa is Eating the Soul of Young Dancers The applauding audience, the lights, sequins and feathers, the colorful, elaborate tutus, and satin pointe shoes capture the hearts of young girls. Where else can a young girl dream of becoming a princess, a swan, a dancing snowflake or flower, or a sugarplum fairy? Where else can she be a fairy tale character like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty? Where else can she be rescued by her handsome princeRead MoreSelf Image With Dancers : Dancers2726 Words   |  11 PagesSelf Image with Dancers Dancers present themselves with a certain level of confidence, this psychological tool we use against nature to mold our bodies and minds into something we may not be. Dancers are driven to believe that their body standards are set to a certain standard, or to a certain type of â€Å"skinny†. Where this idea is driven by and how far the idea comes forward in present day today should be looked at with the most consideration. The psychological effect of dancers who thinkRead MoreHistorical Definitions of Beauty Essay2392 Words   |  10 Pagesthat was pleasant to the eye. Although beauty varies among different cultures and areas, people who are younger, with average looking symmetrical features, well proportioned bodies, along with some combination of inner beauty, are considered beautiful. The more average a persons’ features are to society the more attractive that person appears to be. Charles Darwin’s cousin, Francis Galton, was the first to notice this when he overlaid images of vegetarians and criminals to see if there were typical

Academic Qualification Cannot Ensure Life Sucess Free Essays

Do you have iphone or ipad? I believe that even you don’t have one you also know Steve Jobs, the father or the symbol of Apple, the computer firm, he founded, lost, and then regained. Do you think he is a successful person? I do. Do you think your parent who raise you to be who you are today are successful person? I do. We will write a custom essay sample on Academic Qualification Cannot Ensure Life Sucess or any similar topic only for you Order Now Actually, the definition of success differs from person to person and field to field. For some people it is having a lot of money, for others it may be having the time freedom to play golf once a week, and for others it may be raising their children to be â€Å"good people† or having a large group of close friends. For every one of us, there is a different definition of what success is for others. However, for many people, academic qualification is essential for life success . How many times did your parents tell you that make sure you worked hard in high school so you could go to college and get a good career job as the first step in the success stair? I heard it million times. You might not sure about it but you saw a good portion of adult did. But whether school and college grades and examination results provide a way of predicting or ensuring future success. As I do a simple searching in Google, I found that there are about 200 million results for the term â€Å"got degree but no job†. It means there are many people out there who struggle to find a job even they have academic qualification. Moreover, according to Australia bureau statistics, there was 7. 2% of unemployed people who have degree or certificate. The reality has been shown that academic qualification cannot guarantee life success but other factors. Back to the story of Steve Jobs, he dropped out of Reed College in Portland, Oregon after only one semester to earn money for food but later on, he said â€Å"If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. † It is similar to Bill Gates and Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, lets image that they was waiting until they got college degree to start their career, maybe we couldn’t never see one of the biggest computer firm as Microsoft today. Therefore, academic qualification is not the key thing to ensure future success but personalities, characteristics, experiences, willingness to learn, EQ and opportunities. Chasing degree or academic qualification, in general , can make people distract from others important things that contribute to life success as network, relationship, experiences, etc. Moreover, many young people just randomly choose the courses similar to their friends, families’ advices, or something â€Å"hot† but ignore what they are truly like. Finally, college with assignment, exams would make people follow the old road, think inside rather outside the box or limit the creation which is together combined with inspiration, passionate are the key factors of success. In conclusion, academic qualification can be a ticket for you to enter the life with knowledge and shelf-confidence, but there is no guarantee for life success with academic qualification only. So it is importance to define what is what it to be successful and then set our hearts and minds on achieving it. How to cite Academic Qualification Cannot Ensure Life Sucess, Essays