Anyone who lives in southeastern Pennsylvania is familiar (TOO familiar) with the ubiquitous little creature with the scientific name halyomorpha halys. Its common name is Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (just plain “stink bug” around these parts). The only good thing about stink bugs is that they’re slow moving, and pretty easy to catch. You can learn more about their life cycle and origins by visiting the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences web page devoted to the pesky insect:
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/brown-marmorated-stink-bug
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/brown-marmorated-stink-bug
Penn State tells us that the stink bug was “first collected” in 1998...in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Wikipedia says that "Muhlenberg College students were reported to have seen these bugs as early as August of that same year.” So in addition to being famous for having inspired Billy Joel’s 1982 hit song “Allentown,” and for having the oldest civilian concert band in the United States (the Allentown Band, whose first documented performance was on July 4, 1828), Coopersburg’s neighbor Allentown has the distinction of being the brown marmorated stink bug’s first documented gateway to the United States.
And Blue Church Art has the distinction of being the first art school (as far as I know...) to feature this fascinating bug as subject matter for creative masterpieces! Take a look at the colorful “splendid stink bugs” created by the students at Blue Church Art.
click on an image to enlarge it
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This colorful couple of stink bugs are all dolled up...for a wedding! The groom's on the left, in a spiffy bow tie, and the bride is holding a pretty bouquet in one of her four hands (they're a cute couple, but I hope they won't be honeymooning in MY house!!)
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