Stink Bug

Apoecilus cynicus, one of the native stink bugs. And a predator of other insects and small critters.

This is the first record, on BugGuide, of this stink bug species in New Jersey. Cool.

Stink Bug

And that's a good thing as, "... the predatory wheel bug, Arilus cristatus ... and stink bug, Apoecilus cynicus were found feeding on adult spotted lanternflies in Pennsylvania (Barringer and Smyers, 2016)."*

Spotted Lanternflies are an invasive insect that is causing significant damage to a number of native plant species. Fortunately we've not found them in our yard.

Wheel Bug

And it's good to know we've two predators waiting to pounce on them should they show up.

🐞  🐜  🦟  🦗  🕷  🦂  🦋  🐛  🐝

You can find all of the Yard Critter posts listed here.

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* reference link.