insect in Osceola Oct08

[ktlight]

Anyone recognise what this insect is? It came out of a cotton field in Osceola, Arkansas.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLkD-6AxB2o&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLkD-6AxB2o&NR=1

[Unified Serenity]

It looks like a stink bug to me. Lemme check.

Yep, it's a stink bug:

http://www.virginiafruit.ento.vt.edu/BMSBCatoctinSmall

[Davidallany]

It's giant stink bug or a cousin of it.

[Forevernyt]

From what I understand, they are an invasive species, I think from China. Over the past few years their population has exploded due to no natural predators. NJ is inundated with them. They get into everything. I haven't smelled them but I haven't crushed any of them either. I usually just pick them up and toss them out the door.

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Now, the mosquitoes in NJ, that's another story completely...

http://home.comcast.net/~forevernyt/pwpimages/njskeeter.jpg

[ktlight]

Hi forevernyt
In Osceola, Ark, during the mosquito season when they are absolutely abundant, trucks go around every evening and spray the whole town with (I think) DDT???!!!

[Forevernyt]

Our mosquitoes laugh at DDT. ;)

[ktlight]

our mosquitoes laugh at ddt. ;)

wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DeDukshyn]

Stinkbugs have been in NA for quite some time already - but their populations never used to be an issue. The last few years their population has really shot up - there's a few different species as well, the one you got is on of the bigger species. As a nature kid, I used to play with every critter I could get my hands on - I found out about stinkbugs after playing with them - they really do stink! Don't squish them - or you hand will stink for hours! lol.

They are becoming a nuisance in the eastern states but they can be found almost anywhere in NA these days.