Fun Florida Predatory Stink Bug Facts For Kids
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In this article, we will explore facts about the Florida predatory stink bug (scientific name Euthyrhynchus floridanus). This shield bug preys on plant-eating insects such as grasshoppers, beetles, weevils, and other small insects.
The Florida predatory stink bug nymph goes through 5 instars of about 65 days, as part of its growth process, after which they metamorphize into their adult form. These bugs are blue or black and are exclusively found in the South Eastern United States.
A common region they are found in is the state of Florida, which explains the origins of its name. Their life cycle goes through three distinct stages egg, nymphs, and adults.
The eggs take about 35 days to develop, which is unusually long in comparison with that of its relatives in the subfamily Asopinae. These carnivorous bugs can be of great benefit to humans because they prey on species of pest insects.
Read on to learn more about these insects. If you like learning more about such insects, check out these stink bug facts and green stink bug facts.
Florida Predatory Stink Bug Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a Florida predatory stink bug?
Florida predatory stink bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus) is, as the name suggests, a shield bug that belongs to the family Pentatomidae (true bugs).
What class of animal does a Florida predatory stink bug belong to?
Florida predatory stink bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus) belongs to the class Insecta. Hemiptera and Pentatomidae are their order and family respectively. The fact their order is Hemiptera classifies this insect as one of the true bugs.
How many Florida predatory stink bugs are there in the world?
There is no definite estimate for the Florida predatory stink bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus) population. This is due to their small size, which makes finding and counting them a difficult task.
Where does a Florida predatory stink bug live?
Florida's predatory stink bug range in habitat is limited to the southeastern quadrant of the United States. Living in the South East of the United States, they may be found in states like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina among many others.
What is a Florida predatory stink bug's habitat?
Their habitat includes Neotropical forests which include tropical to subtropical forests. They may be found on a variety of plants such as citrus, weeds, bushes, and trees.
Who does Florida Predatory stink bugs live with?
Florida predatory stink bug lives and hunts in packs. These packs may consist of up to a dozen bugs.
How long does a Florida predatory stink bug live?
There are diverging opinions in the scientific literature on the lifespan of the Florida predatory stink bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus). According to Oetting and Yonke (1975), if Euthyrhynchus floridanus is fed black cutworms, its lifespan from eggs to adulthood is about 100 days.
Whereas, according to Ables (1975), when these bugs are fed greater wax moths, they live about 89 days.
How do they reproduce?
Florida predatory stink bugs mate in the spring season and lay their eggs on the stems or leaves of plants. The female lays between 20-90 eggs that are shaped like barrels. The first instar of the Florida predatory stink bug nymph stays near the egg mass.
What is their conservation status?
The Florida predatory stink bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus) is not listed in the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature) Redlist of threatened species. Their population does not seem to be endangered, thus, there are no focused efforts towards their conservation.
Florida Predatory Stink Bug Fun Facts
What do Florida predatory stink bugs look like?
The Florida predatory stink bug is a small bug, that is blue to black. Their color may even be purplish-brown. They have an orange pattern on their backs.
This insect, on its humerus, has a distinctive spine, but this spine is absent on the underside of its femur on the front leg. This feature helps with their identification and distinguishes them from bug species of Florida. Florida predatory stink bug Nymph, on the other hand, varies drastically in appearance in the five instar stages.
How cute are they?
For the vast majority of people, the mere utterance of the words Florida predatory stink bug is enough to conclude that these creatures are not cute. Yet, if you find beauty or cuteness in the way these black crawly insects operate, then you are part of an open-minded minority.
How do they communicate?
Florida's predatory stink bug uses chemicals (like pheromones) and vibrations to communicate.
How big is a Florida predatory stink bug?
The Florida predatory stink bug (Euthyrhynchus floridanus) is an insect. Thus, it is tiny in size.
The length of the body of the male and female differ substantially. The male is about 0.47 in (12 mm) long, while the female may be between 0.47-0.67 in (12-17 mm) long. The width of the male head is about 0.09 in (2.3 mm) and its humeral width is about 0.25 in (6.4 mm).
The female on the other hand has a marginally larger head with a width of 0.10 in (2.4 mm) and its humeral width is about 0.28 in (7.2 mm). Thus, size is an easy trait by which identification of this bug's sex can be determined.
How fast can Florida predatory stink bugs move?
Florida predatory stink bugs move quickly to be able to capture their prey. Stink bugs, in general, can reach a speed of about 6.7 mph (10.8 kph). The exact speed of this particular species is not known though.
How much does a Florida predatory stink bug weigh?
Stink bugs are small animals, and consequently, weigh very little. If we know the weight of the brown marmorated stink bug, then the Florida predatory stink bug weighs between 111-123 mg.
What are the male and female names of the species?
There are no unique names for the male and female Florida predatory stink bugs.
What would you call a baby Florida predatory stink bug?
A baby Florida predatory stink bug, depending on its stage of life, is called a Nymph.
What do they eat?
Florida predatory stink bugs eat beetles, weevils, planthoppers, and grasshoppers.
Are they harmful?
They are not too harmful, and they are also quite handy to humans, as they prey on many species of pest insects.
Would they make a good pet?
Although unconventional, the trend of keeping bugs as pets has been gaining steam. You could get yourself a Florida predatory stink bug if you live in or near their habitat. They will not live over 100 days, so value them as your pets fully.
Did you know...
Although stink bugs release chemicals that create a foul smell and thus, help avoid predators. This explains why they are called stink bugs. Their scent can also attract other stink bugs. Stink bugs do not particularly attract any more stink bugs if they die.
Despite this, it may not be the smartest idea to kill these bugs, as they prey on a lot of pests like beetles and grasshoppers.
Dangers of Florida predatory stink bugs
These bugs are harmless to humans, but understandably they are adept at killing machines for their prey. One should not eat a predatory stink bug.
Are Florida predatory stink bugs really predatory?
These bugs live up to their reputation, as they are great predators. This species uses its quickness and beak-like mouths to prey on a wide range of plant-eating insects like grasshoppers, beetles, and weevils.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these wheel bug facts, or stick bug facts.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Florida predatory stink bug coloring pages.
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Sources
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/e_floridanus.htm
https://www.orkin.com/pests/stink-bugs/what-eats-stink-bugs
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/561668/stink-bug-facts
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
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As an aspiring web and app developer, Shray has a passion for working with promising startups. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology while gaining experience in digital marketing. Shray has already earned a Google Analytics Certification and is well-equipped to handle analytics and data management tasks. He has also served as a marketing manager at Parallax Virtual Arts, where he oversaw the company's social media, content, and SEO strategies. Shray's goal is to create engaging content that resonates with audiences and offers valuable insights.
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