Let’s have a little fun, a little learning and a little YIKES! today with the STINK BUG:

Let’s just begin this whole discussion of the Stink Bug with a YIKES!

The Stink Bug stinks. Seriously. The Stink Bug gets its name for its ability to release a very unpleasant odor when it’s hurt or its home is threatened.

The Stink Bug belongs to the Pentatomidae (Greek word meaning five-section) family, referring to its 5-jointed antennae.  Its shape is triangular and its size about 3/4 inches.

The Stink Bug comes from Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan and entered the United States in 1998.  Since then, its population has exploded.  It will eat almost anything… but enjoys apples, figs and most citrus fruits.

The good news is that the Stink Bug does not bite humans or animals and it doesn’t harm crops, but it can be quite the pest.

The Stink Bug is a poor-flier that’s attracted to light and will aggressively join a swarm of Stink Bugs in an attempt to get inside a warm place… especially in the fall, getting ready for the winter.  Stink Bug swarms have been known to cover entire screens, windows and doors.  Getting rid of them if they enter your home is as easy as the vacuum cleaner.  YIKES!

Your kids and grandkids will love the Stink Bug for its name alone.  But if you really want to get kids to remember the Stink Bug, share this little tidbit… Stink Bugs are famous in the Indigenous Mexican cuisine.  Yes, the Stink Bug is considered delicious in recipes.  DOUBLE YIKES!

You may want to research some of these Stink Bug recipes… or maybe not!

Join me here each day in June for JUNE BUGS on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids! A little fun, a little learning and a little YIKES! go a long way.