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Southern Green Stink Bug (Nezara viridula)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Southern Green Stink Bug.

 Updated: 9/25/2018; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org




Southern Green Stink Bugs may look like bright green gems, but they can be pests in warm and humid regions.



The Southern Green Stink Bug is a large insect that can grow to be the size of an adult's thumbnail. The body of the insect is shaped like a classic shield. They are bright green, full-bodied, plump, slow-moving and abundant in the South and far into Central America. It is a major pest to soybean farmers and as they destroy their crops. Cotton plants are also susceptible to the insect's appetite.

True to their name, Southern Green Stink Bugs can emit a noxious smelling chemical from their bodies if they feel threatened. The odor is foul enough to turn away most any predator. While this non-native insect's usual habitat is on short weedy plants, they are commonly seen on buildings and homes along door frames and high on walls. Their presence in these places is also considered a nuisance.




Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Hemiptera
        Family: Pentatomidae
          Genus: Nezara
            Species: viridula
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Nezara viridula
Category: True Bug
Size (Adult; Length): 14mm to 17mm (0.55in to 0.66in)
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: green, black
Descriptors: speckled, large, slow
Territorial Map
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
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Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
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Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Mexican National Flag Graphic
Mexico
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.