top of page

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 Piezodorini

-Genus Piezodorus


Piezodorus is a genus of shield bugs (stink bugs) in the family Pentatomidae, known for their compact, shield-shaped bodies and often bright green coloration. Like other stink bugs, they possess scent glands that release a defensive odour when disturbed. Their coloration often provides camouflage among foliage, though some species combine green with red or brown markings. Piezodorus species feed using a piercing-sucking rostrum, targeting seeds, pods, and developing plant tissues, particularly in legumes such as soybeans and beans.

Piezodorus Stink Bugs

Piezodorus (Genus)

Diet

  • Adults and nymphs: Primarily plant-feeding, using their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract fluids from leaves, stems, flowers, developing seeds and fruits.

  • Particularly associated with legumes (Fabaceae). Feeds on crops and wild legumes including soybean, alfalfa, common bean and other plants.

Range

  • Piezodorus is a genus of stink bugs (Family Pentatomidae) in the Subfamily Pentatominae and Tribe Piezodorini.

  • Piezodorus has a broad distribution extending from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean into South America, with records from Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.

  • Around Zihua, Piezodorus would likely be considered occasional, particularly in agricultural areas, gardens and other warm, open habitats where legumes are present.

Habitat

  • Occurs in open woodland, grassland, agricultural areas, gardens, roadsides, fields and disturbed vegetation, particularly where suitable leguminous host plants are abundant.

  • It is particularly associated with agricultural landscapes, where species such as soybean, beans and alfalfa provide abundant food resources.

  • Around Zihua, look for Piezodorus on legumes and other herbaceous plants, especially around cultivated fields, gardens, pastures and vegetation along roadsides.

  • Nymphs and adults may remain on the same host plants while feeding and developing.

Size

  • Adults are small to medium-sized stink bugs, generally around 10–12 mm long, although size varies among species.

  • The body is typically oval to somewhat elongate, with the broad, shield-shaped form characteristic of Pentatomidae.

  • Piezodorus is often green with subtle reddish or reddish-purple markings, making it relatively inconspicuous among foliage.

bottom of page