Man-faced Stink BugCatacanthus incarnatus
Quick facts
- Rarity
- Rare
- Active during
- Afternoon
- Found in
- Lotsamoss Woods
- Length
- 1.5 in
- Wingspan
- 1.2 in
From the field notes
Diet
They lack chewing mouthparts; instead, they use a needle-like rostrum to pierce stems and siphon the sugary sap and juices from valuable crops like cashew, mango, and cotton.
Defense
The distinct black spots on their backs arrange perfectly into what looks like a human face—often jokingly compared to Elvis Presley. If that visual bluff doesn't work, they release a very potent, harsh odor to deter predators.
Strenght in Numbers
These bugs are highly social creatures. They congregate in massive, colorful crowds on the trunks and branches of their favorite food trees, dramatically amplifying their foul-smelling defense against predators.
Nymphs
These bugs hatch from rows of little barrel-shaped eggs as nymphs—miniature, round, and wingless versions of their parents. They molt their exoskeletons several times, slowly developing their wings and iconic adult patterns.
Field Marks
Their bright orange, red, or cream-colored shield-shaped bodies have black spots that are perfectly arranged to look like a pair of resting eyes, a nose, a mouth, and a little pompadour haircut.