Nezara

Glossary
References
Using this Key

Nezara Amyot & Serville, 1843

Photo © Emma Betts, Australian Museum

Type species:

Cimex smaragdulus Fabricius 1775 (= Cimex viridulus Linnaeus, 1758) by subsequent designation.

Number of Australian species:

One.

Extralimital Distribution:

Cosmopolitan.

Australian Distribution:

Temperate, subtropical and tropical regions New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.

Biology:

Nezara viridula is a cosmopolian pest of many species of plants and may seriously inhibit crop yield and quality. Panizzi et al. (2000) summarised the available knowledge on this bug.

Host(s):

Nezara viridula associated with Abelmoschus esculentus (Linnaeus) [MALVACEAE] Okra, Amaranthus sp. [AMARANTHACEAE], Arachis hypogaea L. [FABACEAE] Peanut, Beta vulgaris L. [CHENOPODIACEAE] Indian Mustard, Chenopodium album L. [CHENOPIACEAE], Datura ferox L. [SOLANACEAE], Datura stramonium L. [SOLANACEAE], Glycine max (L.) Merrill [FABACEAE] Soybean, Gossypium hirsutum L. [MALVACEAE] Cotton, Helianthus annuus L. [ASTERACEAE] Sunflower, Hibiscus trionum L. [MALVACEAE], Lathyrus odoratus L. [FABACEAE], Macroptilium lathroides (L.) Urb. [FABACEAE], Medicago polymorpha L. [FABACEAE], Medicago sativa L. [FABACEAE] Alfalfa, Lucerne, Melilotus indica (L.) All. [FABACEAE], Nicotiana glauca Grah. [SOLANACEAE], Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) [FABACEAE], Physalis virginiana L. [SOLANACEAE], Plantago sp. [PLANTAGINACEAE], Raphanus raphanistrum L. [BRASSICACEAE], Ricinus communis L. [EUPHORBIACEAE] Castor Bean, Rumex sp. [POLYGONACEAE], Silybum marianum (L.) [ASTERACEAE], Solanum tuberosum L. [SOLANACEAE] Potato, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench [POACEAE] Millet, Sorghum, Juar, Cholam, Trifolium repens [FABACEAE] White Clover, Triticum aestivum L. [POACEAE] Wheat, Vicia sp. [FABACEAE], Vigna radiata (L.) R.Wilczek [FABACEAE] Mung Bean, Zea Mays L. [POACEAE] Maize.

Diagnosis:

Colour

Drosally and ventrally green. Legs and antennae green and concolourous.

Texture

Densely and uniformly punctate.

Vestiture

Glabrous.

Structure

Body - Elongate, parallel-sided, dorsally convex. Length 7.7 mm -13.9 mm; width 5.9 mm -9.9 mm.

Head - Subtriangular, moderately dorsoventrally orientated, shorter than pronotum; jugae equal in length to clypeus, pointed apically, laterally carinate; antennifer processes absent; five antennal segments, first antennal segment shorter than distance between eyes, inserted into head below mid-height and above ventral margin of eyes; bucculae elongate (posteriorly beyond antennifers); vertex cross-sectional shape flattened; labium reaching between middle coxae and the second abdominal sterna, first labial segment equal in length to bucculae; eyes not stylate, directed laterally.

Pronotum - Calli present but not well developed; anterior lobe surface flat; humeral angles subangulate; lateral margins carinate; anterolateral margins simple and straight to very slightly sinuate; posterolateral margins sinuate; posterior margins straight.

Scutellum - Triangular, apex narrowly rounded; lateral calli present; medial callus absent.

Thoracic sterna - Prosternum flat; mesosternum with low raised keel; metasternum flat.

External efferent system - Evaporative scent gland covering approximately half the metepisternum; peritreme elongate, apically pointed.

Hemelytra - Macropterous, longer than abdomen; membrane veins linear.

Legs - Fore tibia sulcate.

Abdomen - Connexiva visible dorsally; laterotergites armed with very small posteriorly directed spines; abdominal sterna II with small rounded bump.

Remarks:

Nezara viridula is commonly known as the Green Vegetable Bug.