Small green stink bug

Definition

A common name for Piezodorus guildinii, a pentatomid stink bug native to the Western Hemisphere. Adults are green with a distinctive red-pink band across the shoulders; nymphs are green with red lateral markings. The species is a significant agricultural pest of legumes, particularly soybean, where feeding on developing seeds causes quality loss and yield reduction. Also called red-banded stink bug or alfalfa bug.

Etymology

Example

In soybean fields, small green stink bug populations are monitored using sweep nets during the R3–R5 reproductive stages, as late-season feeding causes the 'stay-green' syndrome where plants retain foliage while pods fail to mature properly.

Synonyms

• red-banded stink bug
• alfalfa bug

Related Terms

• Pentatomidae
• stink bug
• soybean pest
• Piezodorus guildinii
• redbanded stink bug
• legume pest

Usage Notes

The common name 'small green stink bug' is somewhat misleadingly generic; specialists prefer 'red-banded stink bug' to distinguish this species from other small green pentatomids such as Chinavia hilaris (green stink bug) and Nezara viridula (southern green stink bug). The name 'alfalfa bug' reflects an earlier host association but is less used in modern agricultural contexts where soybean is the primary economic concern.