Since your most appreciated Stink Bug ID's, I would like to see if I have learned anything and at the same time I seek more information. I feel that the Stink Bug involved here is the Brown Marmorated? The predation of the Black Swallowtail chrysalis seems to employ a proboscis or some other anatomical tool. Could you identify this "tool" and explain how it penetrates the chrysalis. Incidentally, the chrysalis died as a result of this act or for some other cause.
Thanks,
Bob
This does indeed appear to be a nymph of a brown marmorated stink bug, but these, to the best of my knowledge, have not been reported to exhibit any predatory behavior. Predaceous stink bugs in general may be distinguished from plant feeders by the structure of their mouthparts. Although both have the typical multi-segmented 'beak' arising from the underside of their head, that of predatory species is stouter and has the basal segment attached only at its base so that the bug can project its beak forward from its head. That of plant feeders is more slender, with the basal segment fixed along its entire length so that the beak cannot be projected forwards to any degree. You might be interested in the publication on stink bugs at http://tinyurl.com/4jrwuu2
