Diet

• Adults: Primarily predatory, feeding on caterpillars, beetle larvae, moth larvae, sawfly larvae and other soft-bodied insects.

• Nymphs: Predatory and often consume large numbers of insect larvae as they develop.

• Unlike most stink bugs, which feed on plants, Asopinae use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to pierce prey and suck out its internal fluids.

• Some species can occasionally feed on plants, particularly when insect prey is scarce.

Range

• Mexico has a diverse predatory stink-bug fauna, including numerous species adapted to tropical and subtropical environments.

• Several species occur in Guerrero and around Zihua.

• Predatory stink bugs are occasionally sighted in Zihua, particularly during the rainy season when caterpillars and other insect prey become abundant.

Habitat

• Found in tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, woodland, scrub, agricultural areas, gardens and forest edges.

• Adults and nymphs are generally found directly on plants supporting insect prey.

• Around Zihua, examine shrubs, trees and herbaceous vegetation, especially plants with caterpillars or other leaf-chewing insects.

• Some species are active during the day, while others may also be encountered at lights at night.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 8–20 mm (0.3–0.8 in), depending on species.

• Body generally broad and shield-shaped, typical of stink bugs.

• Colouration varies considerably and may include brown, grey, green, black, orange or reddish markings.

• Nymphs can look quite different from adults and may be brightly patterned.