Scent glands and shoulder spines: The secret world of Chlorocoris

The genus Chlorocoris gathers vibrant green stink bugs in the family Pentatomidae, found across North, Central, and South America. These insects feature flattened, leaf-like bodies with distinct, angular shoulder projections that allow them to blend seamlessly into surrounding foliage. Remarkably, many species transition from bright green to yellowish hues over time to match seasonal shifts in plant life. Beyond their camouflage, they possess fascinating evolutionary adaptations. Research on the tribe Chlorocorini shows that the length of their ostiolar ruga—a key component of their defensive scent gland system—evolves rapidly as a deterrent against predators. I crossed paths with this surprisingly cute specimen deep within the “La Perla” protected forest, nestled in the Santo Domingo province of Ecuador.

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