stink bug
noun
variants or stinkbug
ˈstiŋk-ˌbəg 
plural stink bugs or stinkbugs
: 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
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
Robert H. Mohlenbrock
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Many of the beetles, stinkbugs and flies are beneficial and should also be protected. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 6 Apr. 2020 The institute has set up facilities for breeding 10 million stinkbugs annually, according to Bloomberg. Gwynn Guilford, Quartz, 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, 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, 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, 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, 20 Mar. 2018 Each year, the number of stinkbugs invading my home grows. Connie Bruck, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2018 How satisfying to spy an assassin bug impaling a stinkbug or Japanese beetle in their grasp! Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, 11 July 2017 See More
Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 6 Apr. 2020 The institute has set up facilities for breeding 10 million stinkbugs annually, according to Bloomberg. Gwynn Guilford, Quartz, 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, 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, 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, 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, 20 Mar. 2018 Each year, the number of stinkbugs invading my home grows. Connie Bruck, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2018 How satisfying to spy an assassin bug impaling a stinkbug or Japanese beetle in their grasp! Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, 11 July 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
1840, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
stinkbug
noun
stink·bug ˈstiŋk-ˌbəg
: a bug that gives off a bad smell