Southern Green Stink Bug

As this project approaches 6000 total observations, it is worth noting that of the over 4000 research grade observations, of the top five most frequently observed species, three were brought to North America by humans. The fourth of these species (Nezara viridula) typically goes by the generic-sounding common name of “Southern green stink bug”, though there’s actually nothing terribly “southern” about the species. It’s now found far outside what might have been its native setting (probably East Africa), and has what amounts to a global distribution, though (like with BMSB) its occurrences seem to coincide with human population centers. While N. viridula doesn’t seem to concentrate in numbers as would a nuisance pest species, it occurs to a sufficient extent - and has a big enough appetite - to be a significant plant pest.

Like Pentatomidae in general, N. viridula thrives in part due to its chemical defense, which has been analyzed to contain a cocktail of at least seven organic compounds (ref. Secret Weapons, Eisner et. al. 2005). This isn’t to say it’s invulnerable: apparently, a parasitic wasp imported to the US (Trissolcus basalis) locates Nazara’s eggs by following the traces of these chemicals; a native species of tachnid fly (Trichopoda pennipes) is unaffected by the stink bug’s defenses, and follows the “scent” of the bug’s pheromones in order to parasitize the adults. Despite these depredations, Nezara viridula persists among California’s tomato and bean crops.

Publicado el 20 de junio de 2021 por jbryant jbryant

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Vida Silvestre es una entidad asociada a la Organización Mundial de Conservación