Chinavia hilaris

(Say, 1832)

Green Stink Bug, Green Soldier Bug

Chinavia hilaris, commonly known as the green , is a native North American pentatomid pest primarily affecting cotton, soybean, and pistachio crops. are bright green with distinctive black bands on the and a pointed spine projecting between the hind legs. The exhibits a unique seasonal , colonizing woody noncrop such as black cherry and elderberry in spring before dispersing to agricultural crops in mid-to-late season. Unlike the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula), C. hilaris rarely completes development in peanut and shows strong fidelity to cotton. It is susceptible to the microsporidian Nosema maddoxi and is cross-attracted to of other stink bug species.

Chinavia hilaris by (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Chinavia hilaris by no rights reserved, uploaded by Michael Mulqueen. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chinavia hilaris: /tʃɪˈneɪviə hɪˈlærɪs/

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Identification

Distinguished from the southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula) by the pointed spine between the hind legs (N. viridula has a short, rounded spine) and black antennal bands (N. viridula has reddish bands). Larger than N. viridula (5/8 inch vs. 1/2 inch). Distinguished from the redbanded stink bug (Piezodorus guildinii) by larger size, lack of reddish band across the - junction, and presence of the pointed spine. Distinguished from brown stink bugs (Euschistus spp.) by bright green coloration.

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Habitat

Agricultural farmscapes in the southeastern and midwestern United States, particularly cotton, soybean, and corn fields. Noncrop include field borders and woodlands with woody shrubs and trees, especially black cherry (Prunus serotina), elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis), mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), and pecan (Carya illinoinensis). Aggregated distributions occur in cotton, particularly at field edges and crop interfaces.

Distribution

Native to North America; distributed throughout the United States. Documented in the southeastern coastal plain (Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama), midwestern states, Texas, California (pistachio orchards), and Vermont. Historical specimens from Illinois (1970-1972) confirm long-established presence in the Midwest.

Seasonality

present on black cherry from April until early July; large nymphs on black cherry from late May through mid-July. Adults colonize elderberry in mid-May and remain through July; large nymphs present mid-June through July. Adults and nymphs on mimosa from mid-July to early September. In cotton, nymphs observed in late September with peak abundance just after the autumnal equinox, followed by peak of nonreproductive adults within 2 weeks.

Diet

Piercing-sucking herbivore; feeds on plant sap. Causes internal injury to cotton bolls (warts and stained lint). Feeds on developing soybean pods, reducing yield and seed quality. Feeds on pistachio nuts in California. Feeds on noncrop woody including black cherry, elderberry, mimosa, and pecan nuts before shell hardening.

Host Associations

Gossypium hirsutum - Economic ; mid-to-late seasonPrimary crop ; causes boll damage with internal warts and stained lint
Glycine max - Economic and nymphs present; feeding reduces yield and seed quality
Pistacia vera - Economic Documented pest of pistachios in California orchards
Prunus serotina - Early season noncrop Source for of cotton; feed April-July
Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis - Early-to-mid-season noncrop Source for cotton ; colonize mid-May through July
Albizia julibrissin - Mid-to-late season noncrop and nymphs present mid-July to early September
Carya illinoinensis - Noncrop Feeding on nuts before shell hardening; can penetrate hardened shell after mid-August
Sesbania punicea - plantFirst recorded in Florida

Life Cycle

to development occurs through five nymphal instars. Developmental rates estimated at 27°C based on cited literature. Egg masses detected in cotton and corn. Nymphs rarely detected in peanut, indicating incomplete development in this crop. In cotton, all instars and adults of both sexes present simultaneously during late season. Adults overwinter in sheltered locations.

Behavior

Exhibits aggregated spatial distribution in cotton with clustering at field edges, particularly near noncrop . Cross-attracted to Plautia stali and captured in Euschistus spp. pheromone-baited traps. disperse from noncrop host in field borders into crops, primarily cotton. Does not establish breeding in peanut. Shows strong fidelity to cotton compared to other .

Ecological Role

Economic pest of cotton, soybean, and pistachio crops. Acts as a disperser from noncrop woody into agricultural crops. Part of in southeastern farmscapes alongside Nezara viridula and Euschistus servus. Host to including Hexacladia spp. and microsporidian Nosema maddoxi.

Human Relevance

Significant agricultural pest causing yield loss and quality reduction in cotton, soybean, and pistachio production. Damage to cotton bolls results in internal warts and stained lint; damage to soybean pods reduces germination rates and causes delayed maturity. Management involves scouting with sweep nets, for treatment (36 and older nymphs per 100 sweeps), and applications. Cross-attraction to enables monitoring. Rarely breeds indoors; occasional nuisance invader to buildings in autumn but does not establish indoor .

Similar Taxa

Nezara viridulaBoth are green stink bugs of similar size and general appearance; distinguished by spine shape and antennal band color
Piezodorus guildiniiBoth are green-appearing stink bugs in soybean fields; distinguished by size, presence of reddish band, and spine
Halyomorpha halysBoth are pests of multiple crops; distinguished by coloration (mottled brown vs. bright green) and size
Euschistus servusBoth are pests in southeastern farmscapes; distinguished by coloration (brown vs. green)