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 web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes, Regis Nossent,
Alberto Esquivel, Arne Lesterhuis, Rebbeca Zarza, José Luis Cartes and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.
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FAMILY PENTATOMIDAE, SCUTELLERIDAE AND ACANTHOSOMATIDAE: 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.
FIGURE 1a

FIGURE 1a
FIGURE 1b

FIGURE 1b
FIGURE 1c

FIGURE 1c
FIGURE 1d

FIGURE 1d
FIGURE 1e

FIGURE 1e
FIGURE 1f

FIGURE 1f
FIGURE 1g

FIGURE 1g
FIGURE 1h

FIGURE 1h
FIGURE 1i

FIGURE 1i
Gallery 1 - Adults
FIGURE 1a - Edessa sp., Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith August 2007).
FIGURE 1b - Edessa sp., Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith September 2007).
FIGURE 1c - Euschistus sp., Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 1d - Euschistus sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1e - Chinavia sp., Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 1f - Alcaeorrhynchus grandis, PN Tte Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 1g - Euschistus sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1h - Dryptocephala sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 1i - Unidentified sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Laura Tensen February 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2a

FIGURE 2a
FIGURE 2b

FIGURE 2b
FIGURE 2c

FIGURE 2c
FIGURE 2d

FIGURE 2d
Gallery 2 - Immatures
FIGURE 2a -  Immature Euschistus   sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2b - Immature Edessa sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2c - Immature Euschistus sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Paul Smith November 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).
FIGURE 2d - Immature unidentified sp., PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Laura Tensen March 2007 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database).