Many thanks to Dr David Rider for identifying our Pentatomoidea images and for providing information on this group.
Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this page were taken by Paul Smith, Pier Cacciali and Laura Tensen and are used with their permission.
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FAMILY PENTATOMIDAE: SHIELD BUGS
Instantly recognisable on account of the large triangular shield-shaped scutellum, the Shield Bugs or "Chinches" as they are known locally, are one of the most charismatic of heteropteran families. The body is rounded, tapering towards the rear and often with two "horns" on the pronotum. With a lateral view the dorsal surface appears flattened and the ventral surface convex. The small head carries antennae with up to five segments and often appears to be sunk below the broad pronotum. The legs are sometimes hairy or bristly but never spiny and the wings are well-developed for fast buzzy flight, with a maximum of 12 distinct veins in the membranous rear portion. Shield Bugs are well known for their ability to produce strong-smelling secretions from the thoracic glands of adults (or abdominal glands of nymphs) - hence the alternative common name Stink Bugs. These secretions are species specific and consist of organic volatile chemicals designed to perform a defensive function. Most Shield Bugs are vegetarian, sucking sap from shrubs and trees and some species show brood care behaviours. We highly recommend that anybody interested in this group check out Dr David Rider´s Pentatomoidea Home Page for further information.
Click on the images to enlarge them
FIGURE 1a

FIGURE 1a
Gallery 1 - Asopinae
FIGURE 1a - Alcaeorrhynchus grandis, PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2007).

Gallery 2 - Discocephalinae: Discocephalini
FIGURE 2a - Antiteuchus sp., Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith July 2008).
FIGURE 2b - Dryptocephala sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007)
FIGURE 2a

FIGURE 2a
FIGURE 2b

FIGURE 2b
Gallery 4 - Pentatominae: Carpocorini
FIGURE 4a - Euschistus sp., Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 4b - Euschistus sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
FIGURE 4c - Euschistus sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
FIGURE 4d -  Euschistus sp. nymph, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
FIGURE 4e - Euschistus sp. nymph, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
Gallery 3 - Edessinae
FIGURE 3a - Edessa sp., Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith August 2007).
FIGURE 3b - Edessa sp., Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith September 2007).
FIGURE 3c - Edessa sp. mating, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Laura Tensen February 2008).
FIGURE 3d - Edessa sp. nymph, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007
FIGURE 3a

FIGURE 3a
FIGURE 3b

FIGURE 3b
FIGURE 3c

FIGURE 3c
FIGURE 3d

FIGURE 3d
FIGURE 4a

FIGURE 4a
FIGURE 4b

FIGURE 4b
FIGURE 4c

FIGURE 4c
FIGURE 4d

FIGURE 4d
FIGURE 4e

FIGURE 4e
Gallery 5 - Pentatominae: Chlorocorini
FIGURE 5a - Loxa sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Pier Cacciali April 2008).
FIGURE 5b - Loxa sp.nymph, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Pier Cacciali April 2008)
FIGURE 5a

FIGURE 5a
FIGURE 5b

FIGURE 5b
Gallery 6 - Pentatominae: Nezarini
FIGURE 6a - Chinavia sp., Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 6b - Nezara viridula, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Pier Cacciali April 2008).
FIGURE 6c - Nezara viridula, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Pier Cacciali April 2008).


FIGURE 6a

FIGURE 6a
FIGURE 6b

FIGURE 6b
FIGURE 6c

FIGURE 6c
FIGURE 7a

FIGURE 7a
FIGURE 7b

FIGURE 7b
FIGURE 7c

FIGURE 7c
FIGURE 7d

FIGURE 7d
FIGURE 7e

FIGURE 7e
FIGURE 7f

FIGURE 7f
FIGURE 7g

FIGURE 7g
Gallery 7 - Unclassified
FIGURE 7a - Unidentified sp, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007).
FIGURE 7b - Unidentified sp, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Moriz Stiefel May 2008).
FIGURE 7c - Unidentified sp, Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith October 2009).
FIGURE 7d - Unidentified sp, Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith October 2009).
FIGURE 7e - Unidentified sp nymph, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Chris Elder November 2007).
FIGURE 7f - Unidentified sp nymph, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Laura Tensen March 2008).
FIGURE 7g - Unidentified sp nymph, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Moriz Stiefel May 2008).