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Stink Bug


Stink Bug
Photo Information
Copyright: Bill Houghton (poppygan59) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 237 W: 0 N: 344] (2516)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-11-29
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 5D, Sigma 150mm F2.8 APO Macro DG HSM
Exposure: f/22
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2011-12-17 4:54
Viewed: 3554
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Stink Bug - Stink bugs are basically herbivorous. They have sucking and piercing mouthparts which they use while feeding on a number of fruits and crops. They suck juice from fruits and cause significant damage to the plants. Their major hosts are birch, serviceberry, catalpa, butterfly bush, pecan, redbud, hackberry, pepper, dogwood, citrus, cucumber, tomato, sunflower, apple, pear, plum, and grape. They render damage to the plants in multiple ways: create necrotic areas on the surface of fruits, injure seeds, or even transfer plant-pathogens.

Some Asian stink bugs also hunt beetle larvae or caterpillars thus curbing devastative pests and proving beneficial for the plants. This is all about their eating habits in summer season; since they do not generate their heat on their own, they have to rely on external surroundings to keep themselves warm. Therefore, they remain hibernate in cold seasons.

Do Stink Bugs Bite?
Normally they do not. It is a fact that stink bugs feed on fruits and vegetables and they hold no grudge against humans. However, they do bite humans when they feel threatened and do this to prevent any sort of danger to their lives. As a result of their bite a person may feel painful, but harmless, swelling or rashes on the affected part of the body. Though stink bugs' bite is usually treated as non-poisonous bite for humans but it may prove poisonous for small kids and pets.

Are Stink Bugs Poisonous?
Sink bugs are not poisonous for human beings. Some people erroneously relate their pungent smelling liquid with that of poison. It should be noted at this point that they emit foul smelling liquid only to deter predators and discourage molestation. It will also be an interesting fact that in some African countries like Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Venda, Zambia and South Africa, people tend to eat stink bungs while considering it a part of their culture.

What Attracts Stink Bugs?
Food and environment both have attractions for stink bugs. They are mostly attracted by juicy plants which they suck through their sucking mouth parts. These plants include pepper, citrus, cucumber, tomato, sunflower, apple, pear, plum, and grape.

As for environment, they breed in warm weathers because they are cold-blooded and need external heat to keep them alive. It is therefore they are also attracted towards light colored houses or places where they find clear sun exposure. In homes their most favorite places are windowsills and door frames owing to the availability of suitable temperature.

Do Stink Bugs Fly?
Yes, stink bugs do fly. Although during their nymph stages, they do not have wings and therefore only climb from one plant to another; however, they are ready to fly as soon as they get full fledged wings. Since they remain inactive during winter season, they rarely fly when the temperature is not sufficient to provide them with enough heat. But again some species of stink bugs like brown marmorated stink bugs fly to warmer locations leaving their birth areas.

Do Stink Bugs Stink?
Definitely, they stink highly offensive and abhorrent smell when molested or crushed. Stink bugs embark upon stinking as a defensive act to prevent any threat to their lives. Moreover, this stink also serves the purpose of inviting other stink bugs to relatively warm and lightened areas.
maaciejka, soccer, pegos, marius-secan has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Bill,
really interesting bug. Great sharpness and details. Perfect composition.
Have a nice weekend,
Maciek

Bill,

An excellent composition of the subject. The sharpness, detail, clarity of the image and lighting are especially good here. The DOF, BG and POV are also very well captured.
TFS,
Sheriff

  • Great 
  • pegos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 222 W: 0 N: 356] (1982)
  • [2011-12-17 6:38]

Hello Bill,
great macro shot of this bug with excellent sharpness and depth; perfect POV and wonderful shades of warm colours. Very well done!
Regards
Enrico

  • Great 
  • KOMSIS Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 820 W: 0 N: 2419] (10674)
  • [2011-12-17 7:23]

Hi Bill,
Excellent macro shot ..
Very beautiful photo in excellent sharpness an perfect details.
Have a nice weekend,
Seyfi

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2011-12-17 7:28]

Hello Bill,
Very nice photo of this Stink Bug in beautiful colours and good sharpness and details. Fine DOF, POV and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Bill
Two interesting bugs and a beautiful photo with wonderful colours and good sharpness.
Regards,
Christodoulos

Hello Bill,
wonderful shot of these bugs with a great position and good sharpness. I especially like the nicely blurred background and the beautifully natural colours.
Best wishes,
Helmut

What is that smell? Oh, it is the stinking bug in the gallery. Very realistic in excellent quality and with a very informative note. Well done, Bill. Best wishes.
Neels

Ciao Bill, great macro of fantastic bug, fine details and splendid sharpness, I like a lo, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2011-12-17 9:50]

Hello Bill,
Awesome macro shot of these two little Stink Bugs. Excellent detail and great DOF. Color is natural and the exposure is right on the money. I also like the clean blurred BG.
I have seen many this year here in Ohio as their numbers seem to be on the incline. I remember their offensive odor very well from my childhood days. Once you get a whiff of one of these guys, you will never forget it!!
Ron

Wow....excellent macro....
A very nice capture with amazing details and sharpness.
Lovely natural colors and exceptional clarity.
Stunning details and colors.
Thanks for sharing!
Marius.

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2011-12-17 16:15]

Hi Bill,beautiful capture from a very nice point of view,very impressive sharpness,colors and light balance,i like it!Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano.

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2011-12-18 11:39]

Hello Bill.
Great speciment and good photograph. This litlle guy looks really great.Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2011-12-21 3:45]

Hello Bill,
such an exciting composition of this bug. The eye level shot really exposes the beauty and details.
Very nice presentation.

Regards,
foozi

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