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True Bugs of Zihuatanejo

SUBORDER HETEROPTERA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-​True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and Allies (Order Hemiptera)

-True Bugs (Suborder Heteroptera)​

-Pentatomomorph Bugs (Infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

-Superfamily Pentatomoidea​​

-Stink Bugs (Family Pentatomoidae)​​

-Subfamily Pentatominae

-Tribe Halyini

-Rough Stink Bugs (Genus Brochymena)

-Rough Stink Bug (Brochymena sulcata)


Brochymena sulcata is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, commonly referred to as a rough stink bug. Its coloration is usually mottled grey, brown, or bark-like, providing excellent camouflage against tree trunks and branches. The surface of the body appears rough or textured, with subtle ridges and small spines along the margins of the pronotum (“shoulders”). Like other pentatomids, Brochymena sulcata feeds using piercing-sucking mouthparts. It primarily feeds on plant sap from trees and shrubs but may also opportunistically feed on other insects. When disturbed, it can release a characteristic odour from scent glands as a defensive mechanism.

Rough Stink Bug

Brochymena sulcata

Diet

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

  • They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to puncture prey and suck out its internal fluids.

  • Brochymena sulcata is therefore beneficial as a natural predator of plant-feeding insects, although rough stink bugs can occasionally supplement their diet with plant material.

Range

  • Brochymena sulcata is a rough stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Pentatominae, tribe Halyini.

  • It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, with its U.S. distribution extending from Oregon and California eastward into Idaho, Colorado and western Texas.

  • It is occasionally sighted in Zihua.

Habitat

  • Found in woodland, scrub, forest edges, dry forest and other areas with woody vegetation.

  • Adults commonly occur on trees, shrubs and branches, where their rough, mottled bodies provide excellent camouflage.

  • Around Zihua, examine tree trunks, branches and foliage, particularly where caterpillars and other insect larvae are present.

  • The species can also occur in agricultural and garden environments where suitable prey is abundant.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 11.4–15.8 mm (0.45–0.62 in), with females generally slightly larger than males.

  • Body broadly oval and somewhat flattened.

  • Typically brown, greyish-brown or mottled, with a distinctly roughened surface.

  • The irregular texture of the body and pronotum helps the bug blend into tree bark and dried vegetation.

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