Nezara viridula

Distinguished from the green stink bug (Chinavia hilaris) by the shape of the metathoracic scent gland openings: short and wide in N. viridula versus narrow and long in C. hilaris. The ventral spine between the hind legs is short and rounded in N. viridula versus longer and pointed in C. hilaris. N. viridula has reddish antennal bands versus black bands in C. hilaris. Older nymphs have white, black, and red abdominal spots versus black thoracic and abdominal markings in C. hilaris nymphs. Distinguished from the brown stink bug (Euschistus spp.) by bright green adult coloration versus brown. Distinguished from the redbanded stink bug (Piezodorus guildinii) by larger size and absence of a reddish band across the thorax-abdomen junction.

Adults are shield-shaped, bright green, with reddish eyes (sometimes black). Males measure approximately 12.1 mm in length; females are larger at approximately 13.1 mm. The scutellum bears a row of three white spots. Antennae have reddish bands. The ventral spine between the hind legs is short and rounded (distinguishing it from the green stink bug, which has a longer, pointed spine). Several color morphs exist: predominantly green (f. smaragdula, most common); green with white or yellowish front margins on head and thorax (f. torquata); and rare uniformly orange, yellow, or pink forms (f. aurantiaca). Nymphs progress through five instars, with older nymphs showing green coloration with white, black, and red spots on the abdomen.

Agricultural fields, particularly legume crops; weedy areas and non-cultivated vegetation serving as alternative hosts. Found in tropical and subtropical agricultural zones; in temperate regions, overwinters in protected sites. Strongly associated with fruiting or pod-forming stages of host plants.

Cosmopolitan in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide between 45°N and 45°S. Believed native to Ethiopia region of East Africa. Established in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, and Pacific islands. Present in the United States from California to the Southeast, with range expansion northward documented in recent decades.

Reproduces year-round in tropics. In temperate zones, active during growing season with reproductive winter diapause; adults overwinter and re-emerge in spring. Warmer spring temperatures accelerate egg production and development. Up to four generations per year possible in favorable conditions, with development from egg to adult in as few as 35 days in mid-summer.

Highly polyphagous herbivore feeding on plants from over 30 families. Strong preference for legumes, particularly during fruiting or pod formation. Documented hosts include soybean (Glycine max), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), pea (Pisum sativum), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), rice (Oryza sativa), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Feeds on developing seeds and fruits using piercing-sucking mouthparts.

• Glycine max - primary hostsoybean
• Phaseolus vulgaris - primary hostcommon bean
• Pisum sativum - primary hostpea
• Medicago sativa - hostalfalfa
• Gossypium hirsutum - hostcotton
• Oryza sativa - hostrice
• Solanum lycopersicum - hosttomato

Egg stage: females deposit 30–130 eggs in barrel-shaped masses glued to undersides of leaves; eggs hatch in 5–21 days depending on temperature. Nymphal stage: five instars, each lasting approximately one week (final instar one day longer); first instar nymphs aggregate near egg mass and do not feed until after first molt; nymphs remain aggregated through third molt, likely for chemical defense against predators. Adult stage: sexually mature after final molt. In temperate zones, adults enter winter diapause with reversible color change to brown or russet; larger individuals and females show higher overwintering survival.

Males produce 100 Hz vibrational signals using a tymbal (fused first and second terga) to locate females for mating; this allows bidirectional communication between individuals on the same plant. Females exhibit maternal guarding behavior, remaining with egg masses to protect against parasitoids and predators. First instar nymphs aggregate and do not feed for three days post-hatching. Adults and nymphs produce defensive secretions from metathoracic scent glands. Adults are strong fliers and disperse between host plants. Aggregation behavior mediated by pheromones.

Major agricultural pest causing direct feeding damage to seeds and fruits, reducing yield and quality. Acts as vector for plant pathogens causing boll rot in cotton. Serves as host for egg parasitoids including Trissolcus basalis, Telenomus spp., and other parasitoid wasps, contributing to biological control complexes. Prey for generalist predators including ants, birds, and other insects.

Economically significant pest of leguminous crops, particularly soybeans, beans, and peas, causing direct damage to developing seeds and pods. Feeding reduces yield, seed weight, and quality; in cotton, causes boll damage, lint staining, and boll rot. Management relies on scouting, insecticide application, and biological control; resistance to some insecticides has been documented. Subject of research for sterile insect technique (SIT) as potential control method.

• Chinavia hilarisGreen stink bug; distinguished by narrow, long scent gland openings, longer pointed ventral spine, black antennal bands, and different nymphal markings
• Euschistus spp.Brown stink bugs; distinguished by brown coloration, smaller size, and different body proportions
• Piezodorus guildiniiRedbanded stink bug; distinguished by smaller size, reddish band across thorax-abdomen junction, and more agile flight behavior
• Thyanta spp.Redshouldered stink bugs; distinguished by different color pattern and absence of long ventral spine

• agricultural pest
• polyphagous
• stink bug
• soybean pest
• invasive species
• vibrational communication
• maternal care
• diapause

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Soybean Insects: Late-Season Pests (R1 to R7) - AgriLife Extension Entomology
• Mid-Season and Late-Season Pests - AgriLife Extension Entomology
• Pentatomidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 2
• true bugs | Beetles In The Bush | Page 7
• Texas Entomologists Find Redbanded Stink Bug to Be Dominant Species on Soybean
• Stink Bug Saliva: A Potent Mix to Bypass Plant Defenses
• Ecology and Behavior of Nezara Viridula
• Nezara viridula . [Distribution map].
• Ecology And Behavior Of Nezara Viridula
• Nezara viridula . [Distribution map].
• Egg Sterilisation of Irradiated Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
• Parasitoids of the invasive Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) in Bulgaria
• Importancia de las plantas hospederas en la dinámica poblacional de Nezara viridula (L.), plaga de soja Importance of host plants in the population dynamics of Nezara viridula (L.), a soybean pest
• Investigations into the biological control of Nezara viridula (L.) by the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) in eastern Australia
• An investigation of discontinuities in the sexual behaviour of green vegetable bugs, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)
• The intrinsic diversity of Nezara viridula gut symbionts affects the host fitness decline promoted by primary symbiont elimination
• The Behavioral Ecology of the First Instar Southern Green Stink Bug, Nezara Viridula (L.) (Aggregation, Pheromone, Embryo, Egg, Nymph).
• The influence of host plants in the population dynamics of the green vegetable bug (Nezara viridula Linn.) in S.E. Queensland, Australia
• Southern Green Stink Bug, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)