kids encyclopedia robot

Shield bug facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Acanthosomatidae
Acanthosomatidae sizes.jpg
Acanthosomatidae - relative sizes
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Suborder:
Superfamily:
Family:
Acanthosomatidae

Shield bugs are the Acanthosomatidae, a family of Hemiptera. There are 55 genera, with about 200 species. It is one of the least varied families of bugs. The number of species is quite low for beetles, and it is not known why this is so. Individually they are fairly common.

Shield bugs, like almost all bugs, live by sucking the sap of plants, usually flowering plants. They have a "layered" defence system. From a distance they are difficult to see because they are camouflaged. Then, they have a tough armoured back. Lastly, if touched, they give off revolting scents, rather like stink bugs (which are a related group).

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pentatomoidea para niños

kids search engine
Shield bug Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.