Insect · GBIF taxon 2079151
Two-spotted Stink Bug
Perillus bioculatusAlso known as Double-eyed Soldier Bug, Twospotted Stink Bug
Two-spotted stink bugs are formidable predatory shield bugs that patrol agricultural foliage and garden patches in search of leaf beetle pests. Adults display striking red-and-black or creamy-white-and-black geometric patterns, anchored by two prominent dark spots on the pronotum behind the head. After hatching, first-instar nymphs briefly sip sap from host plant stems before developing into voracious hunters that impale beetle eggs and grubs with their sturdy beaks.
PredatoryBeneficialAgricultural
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Colorado potato beetle larvae
- Beetle eggs
- Small caterpillars
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Jumping spiders
- Praying mantises
ThreatsBroad-spectrum chemical insecticide applications in commercial crop fields
HabitatsAgricultural fields, vegetable gardens, open meadows, and weed patches
Life span1–2 months as active adults; up to 9 months including winter diapause
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderHemiptera
- FamilyPentatomidae
- GenusPerillus
- SpeciesPerillus bioculatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance; emits a harmless pungent odor if handled roughly.
Responsible observation
- Garden Scouting: Inspect the undersides of potato and eggplant leaves where adults hunt for beetle clusters.
- Gentle Observation: Avoid pinching or squeezing them, as they release a pungent musk from thoracic glands when alarmed.
Prey (c) Catherine C. Galley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Catherine C. Galley · cc-by
Competitor (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Jason Hill, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.