common name: a predatory stink bug
scientific name: Stiretrus anchorago (Fabricius) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Introduction - Life Cycle - Identification - Survey and Detection - Selected References

Introduction

Stiretrus anchorago (Fabricius) is a medium-sized predatory stink bug which preys on both coleopterous and 1epidopterous larvae, and has been taken on soybeans, peanuts, alfalfa, and corn. It is predatory on the larvae of the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant (Howard and Landis 1936; Waddill and Shepard 1974, 1975; Deitz et al. 1976) the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) (Richman 1977), and at least one lepidopterous species, Eurema nicippe (Cramer) (Richman and Whitcomb 1978). In the laboratory, it has been successfully reared on larvae of the Mexican bean beetle (Waddill and Shepard 1974, 1975), the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), and the soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker) (Richman and Whitcomb 1978).

Life Cycle

At 26 to 27°C and a light to dark photoperiod of 14:10, the time from egg to adult was 25 to 35 days. The egg stage lasted six to seven days (Waddill and Shepard 1974, Richman and Whitcomb 1978).

Identification

The genus is recognized easily by the enlarged long and broadly oval scutellum, approaching that of scutellerids; subapical spine on the front femora; and ventral pubescent patches on the males. Hayslip et al. (1953) illustrated color variations of the adults. DeCoursey and Allen (1968) provided a generic key that is useful in separating 5th instar nymphs, but several Florida genera were not included. Only one highly variable species of Stiretrus occurs in the United States. Under the name of Stiretrus fimbriatus (Say), Oetting and Yonke (1971) provided illustrations, detailed descriptions, life history, and biological notes. Most authors consider S. fimbriatus as no more than a subspecies or color variant of S. anchorage. R.I. Sailer (personal communication, 1979) also believes S. fimbriatus to be a color variant of S. anchorago collected most frequently in the northern range of the species.

Eggs: The ellipsoidal, blackish eggs of S. anchorago are approximately 1 mm in diameter, with short projections around the operculum. These are laid in two rows containing a few eggs to nearly 30.

eggs

Larvae: 1st instar: Length approximately 1.5 mm; head width, including eyes, 0.7 mm; humeral width 1.0 mm. The 1st instar nymphs of S. anchorago are more globose than the 1st instar nymphs of most other species. At hatching the nymphs are red, but they soon turn black. They resemble tiny black beetles at this time and do not feed though they do require water in some form.

1st instar larvae

2nd instar: Length 2.0 to 2.5 mm; head width 0.9 mm; humeral width 1.4 mm. As in other asopine stink bugs, S. anchorago begins to take prey as a 2nd instar nymph. The color of the nymph is blackish blue. The nymph is very globose and assumes the predatory habit, though they may on occasion feed on plant tissue.

2nd instar larva

3rd instar: Length 3.0 to 3.5 mm; head width 1.2 mm; humeral width 2.1 mm. The 3rd instar does not differ much from the 2nd instar nymph, except in size.

3rd instar larva

4th instar: Length approximately 4.5 mm; head width 1.6 mm; humeral width 3.0 mm. Again the 4th instar nymph resembles the 3rd instar, except in size.

4th instar larva

5th instar: Length 7.0 to 8.0 mm; head width 2.1 mm; humeral width 4.4 mm. The 5th instar nymph may be either all blackish blue or may have varying degrees of red markings on the pronotum. The red markings are, however, not related to the adult pattern, and red-marked nymphs may become solid- colored adults.

5th instar larva

Adult: Male length 7 to 8 mm; head width 2.2 mm; humeral width 5.6 mm. Female length 8-9 mm; head width 2.3 mm; humeral width 6.2 mm. Adults of S. anchorago are quite variable in appearance. Some specimens are solid iridescent blue, green or purple, while others are patterned with orange or red and in the fimbriatus form with cream color. The coloration is not related to sex.

adult - blue color phase

adults - different color phases

Survey and Detection

Selected References

Authors: David B. Richman and Frank W. Mead, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry.
Originally published as DPI Entomology Circular 210.
Photographs: Division of Plant Industry
Project Coordinator: Thomas R. Fasulo, University of Florida
Publication Number: EENY-230
Publication Date: August 2001
Copyright 2001 University of Florida

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