Pentatomoidea aka stink bugs. A stink bug’s defensive glands can carry a sizeable amount of chemical: five to ten micro– liters, which is close to 5% of the bug’s body weight. That’s almost equivalent to a human carrying around a gallon bucket. So it’s no surprise that scientists believe these chemicals are a significant energy investment for the bug. This likely explains why they don’t give off the chemicals unless they are severely harassed. The chemicals that make up a stink bug’s stink are called aldehydes. In low concentrations, the aldehydes have a pleasant odor. Some of the most common aldehydes in the “stink” of a stinkbug are described by chemists like fine wine. But stink bugs concentrate these chemicals so much that they become wholly unpleasant, even irritating. The smell can even kill the stinkbug itself. Without adequate ventilation, the chemicals can get into their respiratory system and asphyxiate them. While these aldehydes are distasteful and even toxic to birds and other predators, stinkbugs taste to humans like red–hots or cinnamon gum. In some parts of Mexico, India and Africa, stink bugs are eaten as snacks and have “a strong taste, like aspirin saturated in cod liver oil with dangerous sub currents of rubbing alcohol and iodine.” Yum!