Description
The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus), is in the order Hemiptera or "true bugs." Stink bugs are in the family Pentatomidae and are recognized by their ovoid shape, five segmented antennae, and their malodorous scent. The southern green stink bug is a highly polyphagous feeder, attacking many important food crops. This species should not be confused with the green stink bug Nezara hilaris Say. The range of Nezara hilaris extends farther north than Nezara viridula and there are physical differences. The shape of the stink gland pore, located on the sternum between the second and third leg, is short and broad in the southern green stink bug but long and curved in the green stink bug.
The southern green stink bug is believed to have originated in Ethiopia. Its distribution now includes Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America. In the United States it is known to be found in the southern states of Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, California, Texas, and Hawaii.
The southern green stink bug can complete its life cycle in 65 to 70 days. It is most prevalent during the periods of October through December and again in March through April. The southern green stink bug is known to have up to four generations per year in warm climates. The southern green stink bug overwinters as an adult, and hides in the bark of trees, leaf litter, or other locations to obtain protection from the weather. As spring temperatures begin to warm, the southern green stink bug moves out of the winter cover and begins feeding and oviposition.
The southern green stink bug has piercing-sucking mouthparts. The mouth consists of a long beak- like structure called the rostrum. Salivary fluid is pumped down the salivary duct and liquefied food is pumped up the food canal. All plant parts are likely to be fed upon, but growing shoots and developing fruit are preferred. Attached shoots usually wither, or in extreme cases may die. The damage on fruit from the punctures is hard brownish or black spots. These punctures affect the fruit's edible qualities and decidedly lower its market value. Young fruit growth is retarded and it often withers and drops from the plant. In addition to the visual damage caused by southern green stink bug feeding, the mechanical transmission of tomato bacterial spot may also result.
Biological control of the southern green stink bug is provided by parasites, usually wasps and flies. In Florida a tachinid fly, Trichopoda pennipes, parasitizes adults and nymphs, and a wasp, Trissolcus basalis, parasitizes eggs. These two parasites have been introduced as biological control agents in places such as Australia and Hawaii to control the southern green stink bug. Recently California used T. basalis in an effort to control its southern green stink bug population.
This cache has been placed with permission for the CREW Trust and
the South Florida Water Management District
Good luck!