Nezara

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Pentatomomorpha
Superfamily: Pentatomoidea
Family: Pentatomidae
Subfamily: Pentatominae
Tribe: Nezarini
Genus: Nezara

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Nezara: /nɛˈzɑːrə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Nezara viridula f. torquata MHNT by
Didier Descouens. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Nezara viridula (nymphs) by Patricio.lorente. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Nezara viridula f. torquata & Trichopoda pictipennis MHNT by
Didier Descouens. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Nezara viridula, dark nymph in Botevgrad, Bulgaria by Dimitǎr Boevski. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Nezara viridula MHNT verte by
Didier Descouens. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Nezara viridula Aschaffenburg by KaiBorgeest. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Nezara viridula, also known as the southern green stink bug, is a cosmopolitan plant-feeding stink bug with significant agricultural impact, particularly on legumes. It is characterized by its bright green shield-shaped body and polyphagous feeding habits.

Physical Characteristics

Adult males can reach a body length of about 12.1 mm while females are larger at about 13.1 mm. The body is usually bright green and shield-shaped; eyes may be reddish or black. They have a row of three white spots on the scutellum.

Identification Tips

Distinguishable from the similar green stink bug (Chinavia hilare) by the shape of their scent gland openings; short and wide in N. viridula and narrow and long in Chinavia hilare.

Habitat

Widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, capable of living in diverse habitats including agricultural areas where legumes are present.

Distribution

Cosmopolitan species found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and Europe between 45 degrees north and 45 degrees south.

Diet

Highly polyphagous herbivore, feeding on plants from over 30 families, with a preference for legumes, especially those that are fruiting or forming pods.

Life Cycle

Reproduces year-round in tropics; exhibits a winter diapause in temperate regions. Completes development from egg to adult in as few as 35 days during mid-summer.

Reproduction

Females lay 30 to 130 eggs at a time in an egg mass glued to the underside of leaves. Eggs develop for 5 to 21 days depending on temperature.

Ecosystem Role

Acts as a pest on various crops; plays a role in herbivory within its ecosystem.

Economic Impact

Considered an economically important pest on crops such as beans and soybeans.

Evolution

Origin believed to be in the Ethiopia region of East Africa, spreading globally through strong flight capabilities and human trade.

Similar Taxa

Chinavia hilare