stink bug

noun

variants: or stinkbug \ ˈstiŋk-ˌbəg

plural stink bugs or stinkbugs

Definition of stink bug

: any of various hemipterous bugs (family Pentatomidae) that have a flattened, shield-shaped body with a triangular scutellum, emit a disagreeable odor when threatened, disturbed, or crushed, and include agricultural and household pests The Maryland organic farmer is suffering from an infestation of stink bugs—crop-consuming pests emitting the odor of cilantro mixed with burned rubber and dirty socks.— Heather Haddon … Jay McPherson of nearby Southern Illinois University has recorded fifty kinds of stinkbugs from the Pine Hills; possibly the region now deserves the unenviable title of "Stinkbug Capital of the World."— Robert H. Mohlenbrock

Examples of stink bug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many of the beetles, stinkbugs and flies are beneficial and should also be protected. — Howard Garrett, Dallas News, "Keep a close eye on your garden for pests and diseases," 6 Apr. 2020 The institute has set up facilities for breeding 10 million stinkbugs annually, according to Bloomberg. — Gwynn Guilford, Quartz, "Ravenous armyworms are eating their way across China," 20 June 2019 Things seem to be going pretty well for the two lovebirds (love bunnies?) until a powerful stinkbug who bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Pence decrees that male bunnies cannot marry each other. — Liam Stack, New York Times, "Children’s Book About Mike Pence’s Gay Bunny Jumps to No. 1," 20 Mar. 2018 My black beetle was colossal compared with the brown stinkbug, and had a huge horn on its head. — Connie Bruck, The New Yorker, "The Mail," 14 Mar. 2018 As the New York Times reports: The tale also comes in the form of an audiobook voiced by a string of celebrities including Jim Parsons as Marlon Bundo and John Lithgow as the stinkbug, as well as Ellie Kemper, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and RuPaul. — Luke Darby, GQ, "Mike Pence's Gay Rabbit Is the Newest Kid-Lit Sensation," 21 Mar. 2018 The tale also comes in the form of an audiobook voiced by a string of celebrities including Jim Parsons as Marlon Bundo and John Lithgow as the stinkbug, as well as Ellie Kemper, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and RuPaul. — Liam Stack, New York Times, "Children’s Book About Mike Pence’s Gay Bunny Jumps to No. 1," 20 Mar. 2018 Each year, the number of stinkbugs invading my home grows. — Connie Bruck, The New Yorker, "The Mail," 14 Mar. 2018 How satisfying to spy an assassin bug impaling a stinkbug or Japanese beetle in their grasp! — Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, "Garden Q&A: Black-eyed Susans with fungal leaf spot disease," 11 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stink bug.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.