Stink bugs are named for their smell when threatened. It is considered an unpleasant odour. It is native to China so has accidentally travelled to North America. It looks prehistoric with its hard skeleton and angular shape. They were initially found in Pennsylvania in 1996 and are a threat to tree fruit, grapes, sweet corn, tomatoes, soy beans and peppers. These are Niagara crops.
What's the offensive smell? It is supposed to be like coriander that has gone a bit off. So many people dislike coriander as it is, let alone from a strange, tough looking bug who likes to winter in houses. That's why they are in the news now.
Isn't there something about 'bugs' that is disturbing? While they are small here in North America, they look fierce. The story goes that we are not typically afraid of them. We have feelings of disgust, and the brain confuses fear and disgust. When I look at pictures of the largest bugs in the world, fear and disgust join hands.
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