# Southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula) > A common, bright green, shield-shaped shieldbug that feeds on many crop plants and releases a strong odor when disturbed. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/southern-green-stink-bug/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Odor nuisance.** Nezara viridula does not sting or inject venom. It can release a strong, unpleasant odor and taste chemicals if crushed or handled, which may cause temporary nausea or skin/eye irritation in sensitive people. Wash hands after handling. If a substance gets in the eyes, rinse with water. **Pets:** Generally not harmful to pets if brief contact occurs, though the smell can be unpleasant. If a pet eats many bugs it could vomit or experience digestive upset; seek veterinary advice if illness follows ingestion. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Nezara viridula - Also called: Green vegetable bug, Green stink bug, Southern green shieldbug - Order: Hemiptera (True bugs) - Family: Pentatomidae (Stink bugs) - Size: 10-18 mm long (typical adult) - Colours: Bright green, Pale yellow, Dark brown (antennae markings) - Habitat: Agricultural fields, gardens, hedgerows and other vegetated areas; often on host plants and crop foliage - Range: Originally pantropical; now established worldwide in tropical, subtropical and many temperate regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, Australasia) - Active: Warm months and daytime; in warm climates adults can be active much of the year - Lifespan: Adults can live for several weeks to months; overwintering adults may survive months depending on climate - Effect on plants: Crop pest - Pest: yes ## Overview Nezara viridula is a medium-sized shield-shaped stink bug (family Pentatomidae) known for its bright green adults and broad host range of agricultural plants. It pierces plant tissues with its needle-like mouthparts to feed on sap, fruits and developing seeds, frequently damaging legumes, tomatoes, cotton, and various fruits. When threatened or crushed it emits a pungent odor from scent glands; it does not actively sting but can produce an unpleasant smell. Originally pantropical, N. viridula has spread to temperate regions worldwide through trade and human activity. It commonly occurs in fields, gardens and at the edges of wooded areas and is often considered an agricultural pest where abundant. Eggs are laid in clusters on the undersides of leaves; nymphs go through several color-changing instars before becoming green adults. ## How to identify it Adult southern green stink bugs are shield-shaped and typically uniformly bright green, sometimes with small pale or dark markings on the edges of the pronotum or scutellum. Length is generally about 10-18 mm. The scutellum (triangular plate on the back) is large and covers much of the abdomen. Antennae often show darker bands or tips. Nymphs (immature stages) are rounded and change colour through instars: early instars are often reddish or black with white spots, later becoming green as they mature. - Bright green, shield-shaped adult 10-18 mm long with a large triangular scutellum covering much of the back - Antennae usually with darker bands or tipped segments; edges of pronotum or scutellum may have pale margins - Nymphs are rounded and change from darker, spotted early instars to green in later instars - Eggs in compact clusters on the underside of leaves ## Lookalikes - **Green shieldbug** (Palomena prasina): Palomena prasina (Europe) usually has a more uniformly shaped pronotum margin and different leg/antenna colouring; P. prasina is more olive-green and lacks some Nezara antennal markings. - **Green stink bug** (Chinavia hilaris): Chinavia hilaris is similar in shape and colour but typically shows a distinct pale margin along the abdomen and different scutellum shape; examine antenna banding and underside patterns to distinguish. ## Life cycle - **Egg:** Laid in clusters on the underside of leaves; eggs are barrel-shaped and hatch in about 4-10 days depending on temperature. - **Nymph (immature):** Several nymphal instars that change colour and pattern as they grow, from reddish/black early instars to green older instars; actively feed on host plants. - **Adult (shieldbug):** Winged, sexually mature stage that disperses, mates and lays eggs; adults can overwinter in mild climates. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Plant sap from seeds, fruits, pods and stems of many host plants - Adults eat: Plant sap from a broad range of crops and wild plants, especially legumes, tomatoes, cotton, brassicas and various fruits - Predators of the young: Predatory insects (assassin bugs, lacewing larvae, spiders) and parasitic wasps (egg parasitoids such as Trissolcus species) - Predators of adults: Birds, some predatory insects and spiders; parasitism is less common on adults than eggs ## Effect on plants and gardens Feeds on a very wide range of crops and wild plants by piercing fruit, pods, seeds and stems to suck sap. Damage includes blemished or deformed fruit, aborted seeds, reduced crop yield and transmission of some pathogens in certain crops. ### How to get rid of it For gardens: inspect underside of leaves and remove egg masses and nymphs by hand; use a small jar of soapy water to drown removed bugs. Exclude from greenhouses with fine mesh and seal gaps in houses. For small infestations, knock bugs into soapy water. In agriculture: follow integrated pest management (IPM): monitor with sweep nets or traps, conserve natural enemies (parasitoid wasps and predators), and use targeted insecticides only when economic thresholds are exceeded. Sticky or pheromone traps may aid monitoring but are not a standalone control. Always follow local pesticide regulations and safety instructions. ## Where and when to find it Look on the foliage, flowers, fruit and pods of host plants; eggs on leaf undersides; nymphs on leaves and stems feeding in groups. - Best time: Warm months (spring to autumn in temperate zones); active during the day. - Tips: Check undersides of leaves for egg clusters and search host plants mid-morning when bugs are warmed by the sun and more active. Use a macro lens for close-up photos of antennae and scutellum to aid identification. ## Fun facts - Nezara viridula is one of the most widely distributed stink bugs globally, transported unintentionally by trade. - Eggs of N. viridula are commonly parasitized by tiny wasps in the genus Trissolcus, which are used as biological control agents in some regions. - Nymph colours shift dramatically during development; early instars may be red or black with white spots, making them easy to confuse with other species. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do southern green stink bugs bite? They do not bite humans intentionally. They have piercing mouthparts for feeding on plants, not for biting people. Handling can be unpleasant because of the smell. ### Are southern green stink bugs dangerous to humans? Only mildly. They have no venom, but they release a strong-smelling chemical if crushed or threatened which can irritate the eyes or cause nausea in sensitive people. ### Why are they in my house? Adults may enter buildings seeking shelter, especially in autumn or during extreme weather. They are attracted to light and sheltered warm spots, but they do not infest structures like household pests. ### How do I get rid of them? For a few bugs, pick them up with gloves or knock them into soapy water. Seal gaps in windows and doors to prevent entry. In gardens remove egg masses and hand-pick nymphs; use IPM practices for larger infestations. Pheromone or sticky traps help monitoring but are not a complete solution. ### What crops do they damage? They feed on many crops including legumes (beans, soy), tomatoes, cotton, fruits and some brassicas, causing blemished, deformed or aborted fruit and reduced yields. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/141725), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nezara_viridula). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.