| Jewel bugs | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scutiphora pedicellata, a jewel bug from Australia | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Heteroptera |
| Infraorder: | Pentatomomorpha |
| Superfamily: | Pentatomoidea |
| Family: | Scutelleridae Leach, 1815 |
| Subfamilies | |
| |
Scutelleridae is a family of true bugs. They are commonly known as jewel bugs or metallic shield bugs due to their often brilliant coloration. With the name based on the Asian genus Scutellera, they are also known as shield-backed bugs due to the enlargement of the thoracic scutellum into a continuous shield over the abdomen and wings.[1] This latter characteristic distinguishes them from most other families within Heteroptera, and may lead to misidentification as a beetle rather than a bug. These insects feed on plant juices from a variety of different species, including some commercial crops. Closely related to stink bugs, they may also produce an offensive odour when disturbed. There are around 450 species worldwide.[2]
- ^ "Scutelleridae - Jewel Bugs". Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Entomology. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
- ^ John L. Capinera (2008). Encyclopedia of entomology. Springer. pp. 608–609. ISBN 978-1-4020-6242-1.