Nezara viridula (Linnaeus, 1758)

Smaniotto, Lisonéia F. & Panizzi, Antônio R., 2015, Interactions of selected species of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from leguminous crops with plants in the Neotropics, Florida Entomologist 98 (1), pp. 7-17 : 8

NEZARA VIRIDULA (L.)

The southern green stink bug N. viridula has a worldwide distribution, including Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe ( Lethierry & Severin 1893; Todd 1989; Kaul et al. 2007). In Brazil, it has been reported from the south and central-west regions (Panizzi & Slansky Jr. 1985a; Panizzi & Corrêa-Ferreira 1997) and, more recently,from the Northeast Region (Panizzi 2002). This is most likely due to the expansion of its suitable host plant, soybean ( Glycine max L. Merrill ( Fabaceae ), toward the north. Eventually, N. viridula will probably be distributed throughout the country, except perhaps for the Amazon Basin. It also occurs in several other countries of the neotropics, such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay ( Table 1).

Despite the preference of N. viridula for legumes and brassicas ( Todd 1989), its extreme polyphagy makes it adapted to feed on an array of plants. These include several species of cultivated and non-cultivated plants, weeds, fruit trees, and ornamentals. In Table 1, we have listed all the plants on which N. viridula has been recorded feeding and/or reproducing or utilizing as shelter, or as a source of water in the neotropics.

In general, N. viridula in the neotropics completes six generations/ year. For example, in Paraná, Brazil, Londrina County (S 23° - W 50°) it completes three generations on the soybean crop during spring and summer months. It then moves to weed plants such as Desmodium tortuosum (SW.) DC. ( Fabaceae ), wild radish Raphanus raphanistrum L., wild mustard Brassica campestris , L. ( Brassicaceae ), and pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L. Millsp.) ( Fabaceae ), where it completes two additional generations, during fall and early winter. One more (sixth) generation is completed on the wild weed Leonurus sibiricus L. ( Lamiaceae ), before colonizing soybean again in the next spring (Panizzi 1997). In addition to these plants, N. viridula has been observed feeding on seed heads of wheat, Triticum aestivum L. ( Poaceae ), during late winter and early spring (A. R. Panizzi, personal observation).

The list of plants on which N. viridula has been recorded in the neotropics includes 70 plant species belonging to 19 families, from which 29 species were considered to be reproductive hosts, i.e., plants on which bug can complete development ( Table 1).