Nezara

Amyot & Serville, 1843

Green Vegetable Bugs

Species Guides

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Nezara is a of plant-feeding stink bugs in the Pentatomidae, established by Amyot and Serville in 1843. The genus contains approximately 20 described distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The most economically significant species is Nezara viridula (Linnaeus, 1758), commonly known as the or , which is a major agricultural pest of legumes, cotton, and numerous other crops. Several species have been documented as pests of soybean and other economically important crops in South America, with N. viridula being particularly problematic due to its distribution and feeding habits.

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.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Nezara: /nɛˈzɑːrə/

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Distribution

of Nezara occur across tropical and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, and Oceania. Nezara viridula has the widest distribution, having been introduced to and established in temperate regions beyond its native range. In Japan, the northern distribution limit of N. viridula has shifted northward by approximately 85 km since the 1960s, attributed to climate warming.

Human Relevance

Nezara viridula is a significant agricultural pest causing direct feeding damage to developing seeds and fruits, resulting in yield reductions and quality degradation. The is particularly damaging to soybean, peanut, cotton, and various vegetable crops. In South America, stink bugs including Nezara species are major pests in nearly all soybean production areas, requiring extensive application. The has also been targeted for programs, with such as Trissolcus basalis and Ooencyrtus nezarae investigated or employed as management agents.

Similar Taxa

  • PiezodorusBoth contain green-colored that are major soybean pests in South America; Piezodorus guildinii (redbanded stink bug) has displaced N. viridula as the pest in some regions of Texas
  • ChinaviaIncludes green stink bug such as C. hilaris that co-occur with N. viridula in soybean agroecosystems and cause similar feeding damage to crop plants
  • EuschistusBrown stink bug such as E. heros and E. servus are co-occurring pests in soybean systems, though generally distinguishable by coloration and body shape

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