Quite a few species are grouped under the generic term ‘podsucking bugs’, but not all have the same impact on the crop. Photographs of the more common species at various stages of development are provided below to assist with identification.
Green vegetable bug Nezara viridula
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- Freshly laid egg raft
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- Ready to hatch
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- Newly emerged nymphs
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- Newly moulted second instar nymphs
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- Second instar (2 mm)
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- Third instar (5 mm)
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- Fourth instar (8mm)
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- Fifth instar (12 mm)
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- Adult (15 mm)
Redbanded shield bug Piezodorus oceanicus
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- Eggs – distinctive twin row with emerging nymphs
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- Second instar
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- Third instar (3.5 mm)
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- Fourth instar (7 mm)
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- Fifth instar (8 mm)
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- Adult female – pink banding (10 mm)
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- Adult male – pale/yellow banding (9 mm)
Green stink bug Plautia affinis
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- Eggs
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- First instar
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- Fifth instar – dark form (6 mm)
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- Fifth instar – green form (6 mm)
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- Adult
Brown stink bug Dictyotus caenosus
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- Eggs
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- First instar
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- Fourth instar (5 mm)
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- Adult (8 mm)
Small brown bean bug Melanacanthus scutellaris
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- Eggs
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- First instar (1.7 mm)
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- Second instar (3 mm)
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- Third instar (4 mm)
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- Fourth instar (6 mm); note the raised black spots on the abdomen
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- Fifth instar (9 mm)
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- Adult female (12 mm); note fuller abdomen and absence of pale patch
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- Adult male (12 mm); note pale patch in scutellum
Large brown bean bug Riptortus serripes
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- Egg
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- First instar (2.5 mm)
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- Second instar (4 mm)
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- Third instar (5.5 mm)
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- Fourth instar (9 mm)
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- Fifth instar
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- Adult female (17 mm)
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- Adult male (18 mm)
Photographs provided by Joe Wessels and Hugh Brier.