為輔助一項監測研究，專家在英格蘭薩里郡捕捉了一只會危害莊稼、侵擾房屋的 “臭屁蟲”。

Brown marmorated stink bugs are tiny dull shield-shaped insects which get their name from the strong odour they emit when threatened. They’ve become a nuisance in the US, invading homes in their hundreds and destroying farmers’ crops.

茶翅蝽是一種體型很小的褐色盾形昆蟲，因受威脅時會發出惡臭而得名 “臭屁蟲”。它們已經成為了美國的一大公害，數以百計的蟲子侵入家園，還毀壞農民的莊稼。

The lone adult male stink bug was discovered at Wisley Gardens in Surrey. The insect’s been found in the UK only a handful of times before, and there’s concern it could become established here.

這個單只的成年雄性蝽是在英格蘭薩里郡的威斯利花園被發現的。此前，這種昆蟲在英國只被發現過寥寥幾次，如今有人擔心它們會在這里繁衍。

Experts say the bug may have arrived on imported goods or as part of a yet undiscovered local population.

專家認為，這種蟲子可能是通過進口商品傳入英國的，或者是本地尚未發現的一批蝽蟲的一部分。

The government said the insect was not a significant threat to British crops. But as with all pests and diseases, it would continue to monitor any threats closely.

政府表示，這種昆蟲并不會對英國農作物造成重大威脅。但與對待所有病蟲害一樣，政府將密切監測任何威脅。

詞匯表

marmorated 有大理石紋路的
emit 發出
nuisance 討厭的事物，公害
handful 少數
imported 進口的
undiscovered 尚未被發現的

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題。

1. Where do stink bugs get their name from?

2. What problems do stink bugs cause in the US?

3. Where was the stink bug found in the UK?

4. How do experts believe the stink bug came to the UK?

答案  

1. Where do stink bugs get their name from?
Stink bugs get their name from the strong odour they emit when threatened.

2. What problems do stink bugs cause in the US?
They’ve become a nuisance in the US, invading homes in their hundreds and destroying farmers’ crops.

3. Where was the stink bug found in the UK?
The lone adult male stink bug was discovered at Wisley Gardens in Surrey.

4. How do experts believe the stink bug came to the UK?
Experts say the bug may have arrived on imported goods or as part of a yet undiscovered local population.