The Diurnal Ethology of the Southern Green Stink Bug, Nezara Viridula (L.), in Cowpeas

Abstract

A behavioral catalogue of the adult southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), was developed from observations taken in a cowpea field. A total of 23 behaviors are described, and the effects of sex, mating status, time of day, height on the plant, and substrate on these behaviors are quantified. Of the seven most common behaviors, which occupied 97% of the total observation time, sex significantly influenced the duration and/or frequency of kicking, rocking, and mating. Mating status significantly affected the frequency of antennal waving and walking. Time of day had a significant effect on the duration and/or frequency of resting, antennal waving, feeding, kicking, and mating. Height on the plant significantly affected the duration and/or frequency of resting, antennal waving, walking, feeding, kicking, rocking, and mating. Substrate significantly influenced the duration and/or frequency of antennal waving, feeding, kicking, and mating. The proportion of time spent basking on the tops of plants decreased significantly from morning to noon and from noon to afternoon.

The potential use of cover crops for building soil quality and as trap crops for stinkbugs in sub-tropical fruit orchards: Knowledge gaps and research needs

“…In general, the attractiveness of the trap crop and the presentation of trap crops in the field are important factors in attracting the insect and in the success of the trap cropping system (Velasco and Walter, 1992). Various trap crops have been recorded to attract pentatomid stink bugs (Knight and Gurr, 2006;Lockwood and Story, 1986;Mizell et al, 2008;Shelton and Badenes-Perez, 2006;Velasco et al, 1995;Velasco and Walter, 1992;Velasco et al, 1995). Shelton and Badenes-Perez (2006) are of the opinion that the potential of trap cropping significance would be greater if farmers, scientists and extension educators could expand their concepts of trap cropping to include more diverse modalities in their research.…”

Feeding Preference and Movement of <I>Nezara viridula</I> and <I>Euschistus servus</I> (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on Individual Cotton Plants

“…A previous study showed that adults and nymphs of N. viridula were observed to feed during early morning and late afternoon in the Þeld (Corpuz 1969, Lockwood andStory 1986); however, both of those studies were conducted during photophase. A previous study showed that adult female N. viridula could be seen feeding throughout the day, but fed for longer durations during scotophase (Ϸ12 min/h) than the photophase (Ϸ4 min/h) (Shearer and Jones 1996).…”