| Green
stinkbug |
Namibian
crop pests # 16
|
| Nezara viridula |
Order: Hemiptera |
Family: Pentatomidae |
Young nymph |
Imago
|
COMMON NAMES
Green vegetable bug (English);
groenstinkbesie (Afrikaans)
PEST STATUS
Green stinkbug is widespread in north
central Namibia, but it is only a minor pest. The host range is large.
Green stinkbugs have been observed on maize, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum),
cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and many vegetable crops. There are seldom many
stinkbugs on a crop and they do not reach such high population levels as
the melon bugs for instance. Severe damage has not yet been recorded in
Namibia.
DESCRIPTION
The young stages (nymphs) of stinkbugs
look very different from the adults and are often mistaken for another
species. The nymphs are round and flat, rather like a coin, with a green
and black pattern on the shield. The adult stinkbug is green and
15 mm long. It is often found on heads of pearl millet and hiding in green
vegetation
CONTROL
Due to the small number of green stinkbugs
to be found on local crops, control is not recommended.
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