Insects, usually shield-shaped, that possess a gland that produces a foul smelling liquid, usually containing aldehydes which they use to discourage predators.
(entomology) A common name applied to various insects of the Hemiptera order (the "true bugs"), in the Heteroptera suborder, principally in the superfamilies Pentatomoidea and Coreoidea.
(US Southwest) A pinacate beetle or stink beetle (genus Eleodes) that releases a pungent odor when threatened.
For example, males of the stinkbug genus Podisus produce a pheromone that attracts females as well as other males and immatures.
For a monarch caterpillar, ingesting milkweed poisons is not a surefire defense against a predatory stinkbug, which harpoons its victims before sucking up the body fluids.
