Ypsilon Stink Bug
Mormidea ypsilon
Ypsilon Stink Bug
Mormidea ypsilon
Mormidea ypsilon is a common, widespread species of stink bug (Family: Pentatomidae) found throughout Barbados and the Caribbean. It is known for its association with rice and various other plants, recognized by its distinctive "Y" shape or markings, a key insect in Neotropical ecosystems.
The length of this beetle is between 7 and 9 mm. It is coloured brown with yellow hints and has a prominent pale cream to yellow Y shaped mark on the scutellum. The shoulders of the pronotum may be narrowly rounded or alternatively have spines.
Key Characteristics
Classification: A true bug (Order: Hemiptera), part of the large stink bug family (Pentatomidae).
Appearance: A small, dark brown to black stink bug, often featuring a pale or yellowish "Y" or "V" shape on its back, giving it its name.
Distribution: Highly common from Mexico down through the Andes, Argentina, and Caribbean islands.
Diet/Impact: Feeds on plant sap, acting as a pest on rice and other crops, but also plays a role in natural ecosystems.
Common Names: Ypsilon stink bug, Rice stink bug
Mormidea ypsilon is a very common insect across the Americas, a typical stink bug with a distinctive marking, important to both agriculture (as a pest) and biodiversity, making it a well-studied and frequently encountered species.
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Pentatomidae
Genus: Mormidea
Species: M. ypsilon
Binomial name: Mormidea ypsilon
Mormidea ypsilon
Mormidea ypsilon is a common, widespread species of stink bug (Family: Pentatomidae) found throughout Barbados and the Caribbean. It is known for its association with rice and various other plants, recognized by its distinctive "Y" shape or markings, a key insect in Neotropical ecosystems.
The length of this beetle is between 7 and 9 mm. It is coloured brown with yellow hints and has a prominent pale cream to yellow Y shaped mark on the scutellum. The shoulders of the pronotum may be narrowly rounded or alternatively have spines.
Key Characteristics
Classification: A true bug (Order: Hemiptera), part of the large stink bug family (Pentatomidae).
Appearance: A small, dark brown to black stink bug, often featuring a pale or yellowish "Y" or "V" shape on its back, giving it its name.
Distribution: Highly common from Mexico down through the Andes, Argentina, and Caribbean islands.
Diet/Impact: Feeds on plant sap, acting as a pest on rice and other crops, but also plays a role in natural ecosystems.
Common Names: Ypsilon stink bug, Rice stink bug
Mormidea ypsilon is a very common insect across the Americas, a typical stink bug with a distinctive marking, important to both agriculture (as a pest) and biodiversity, making it a well-studied and frequently encountered species.
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Pentatomidae
Genus: Mormidea
Species: M. ypsilon
Binomial name: Mormidea ypsilon
More from this Order
All photographs copyright © 2025 Barbados Field Guide. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
Copyright Barbados Field Guide © 2014 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.
Sorry, your account does not have access to post comments.