About Euschistus ictericus (Linnaeus, 1763)
Euschistus ictericus (Linnaeus, 1763) reaches an adult length of 10.5 to 12 millimeters (0.41 to 0.47 inches). It can be separated from other species in the "brown stink bug complex" by two key traits: it has no black spots in the center of the ventral side of its abdomen, and it has black rings surrounding the spiracles on its abdomen. In Canada, the species is only found in Ontario and Quebec. In the United States, its range extends south to Texas and Louisiana, and west no further than Utah. This contradicts older reports that claimed the species’ range stretches across the continent from coast to coast. This stink bug inhabits damp environments, and has been recorded living on Carex comosa, Iris versicolor, Nymphaea odorata, Saururus cernuus, willows, Carduus horridulum, Heracleum maximum, Cuscuta, Glycine max, Vicia faba, Verbascum thapsus, Juncus, Perillus frutescens, polygonum densiflorum and Persicaria punctata. It is preyed on and parasitized by three tachinid fly species: Euthera tentatrix, Beskia aelops and Cylindromyia euchenor, as well as by the bird eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna). Euschistus ictericus is not considered a commercially important pest.
