Scutelleridae

Jewel bugs
	Scutiphora pedicellata, a jewel bug from Australia
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Heteroptera
Infraorder:	Pentatomomorpha
Superfamily:	Pentatomoidea
Family:	Scutelleridae; Leach, 1815
Subfamilies
	Elvisurinae; (Stål, 1872); Eurygastrinae; Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843; Hoteinae Carapezza, 2008; Odontoscelinae; Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843; Odontotarsinae; (Mulsant and Rey, 1865); Pachycorinae; Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843; Scutellerinae; Leach, 1815; Tectocorinae; McDonald & Cassis, 1984;

Scutelleridae is a family of true bugs. They are commonly known as jewel bugs or metallic shield bugs due to their often brilliant coloration. With the name based on the Asian genus Scutellera, they are also known as shield-backed bugs due to the enlargement of the thoracic scutellum into a continuous shield over the abdomen and wings. This latter characteristic distinguishes them from most other families within Heteroptera, and may lead to misidentification as a beetle rather than a bug. These insects feed on plant juices from a variety of different species, including some commercial crops. Closely related to stink bugs, they may also produce an offensive odour when disturbed. There are around 450 species worldwide.

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