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Family Pentatomidae
This page contains pictures and information about Gum Tree Shield Bugs that we found in
the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Length 20mm
- Gum Tree Shield Bugs are also known as Eucalypt Shield Bugs. They are common in Brisbane forest and bushland.
Many related species look similar. Bugs in
this Pentatomidae
family are known also as stink bugs and produce foul smelling defensive
liquids. Most
animal, including human, learn about their stink weapon and will avoid contact
with them.
- This is the most common stink bug in Brisbane bushland. The bug has five-segmented antennae. The antenna are yellow with dark
end. The adult bugs are in shield shape with dark brown and black in colour.
The scutellum, or the protective back shield, has a write tip.
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- The above pictures show
its face and its needle-like mouth used for punching and sucking. The adult bugs
fly around the bush and feed freely by sucking the juice of plants. This Gum Tree Shield
Bug suck juice from Gum tree trunk.
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- 3rd and 4th instars, body length 10 and 15mm
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- Gum Tree Shield Bug nymphs are black and white in colour. The antenna are yellow with dark
end. They can be found usually in clusters of six to eight under loose bark of a
gum tree.
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- 3rd instars, 10mm
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5th instars
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- The nymphs usually
hide under loose bark of living gum tree where they suck up the tree juice. You can find them easily by
gently tapping on the lose bark of gum trees. Then they will come out to see
who is visiting. But beware sometimes it will come out a Huntsman
Spider.
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- Just moulted 4th
instars
Adult, just moulted, colour not darken yet
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- Adult
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- The adult's body is bright red in colour, covered by its
wings.
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- Reference:
- 1. Stink
Bugs of Australia - FaunaKeys,
Australian Museum online 2003.
- 2. .
- 3. Poecilometis
acanthopygius - Australian Biological Resources Study,
Department of the Environment and Heritage, Commonwealth of Australia 2005.
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