A new report of Nezara viridula f. aurantiaca (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from a cultured population in Washington County, Mississippi

Authors: Rojas, Maria - Guadalupe; Morales Ramos, Juan

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/17/2016
Publication Date: 1/28/2017
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5642510
Citation: Rojas, M.G., Morales Ramos, J.A. 2017. A new report of Nezara viridula f. aurantiaca (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from a cultured population in Washington County, Mississippi. Journal of Insect Science. 17(1):1-3.

Interpretive Summary: The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula adult coloration can vary, including a rare orange color type (i.e., N. viridula f. aurantiaca). In November 2015, three Nezara viridula males displaying orange coloration were found in an established colony in Stoneville, MS. The objectives of this study were to determine if alleles of these orange types conformed to the allele characteristics previously reported for N. viridula f. aurantiaca and to determine if there were any differences in reproductive output compared to the green colored type. The three orange type males were crossed with green type females to produce a hybrid F1. The F1 progeny was allowed to cross to produce an F2. The F2 progeny consisted of 672 green females, 351 green males, 298 orange males, and 0 orange females. These ratios did not differ significantly from the expected 50:25:25:0 ratios for a single recessive sex linked allele for color phenotype. The F2 cross of green females and orange males produced an F3 consisting of 345 green females, 346 green males, 100 orange females, and 85 orange males. These ratios also conformed to the expected ratios (0.375:0.375:0.125:0.125) with the exception of orange males, which numbers were slightly lower than expected. The pure orange type N. viridula had produced significantly less egg masses and total eggs than green types and their reproductive output, measured as net reproductive rate (Ro), was lower.

Technical Abstract: Nezara viridula adult coloration can vary, including a rare orange color type (i.e., N. viridula f. aurantiaca). In November 2015, three Nezara viridula males displaying orange coloration were found in an established colony in Stoneville, MS. The objectives of this study were to determine if alleles of these orange types conformed to the allele characteristics previously reported for N. viridula f. aurantiaca and to determine if there were any differences in reproductive output compared to the green colored type. The three orange type males were crossed with green type females to produce a hybrid F1. The F1 progeny was allowed to cross to produce an F2. The F2 progeny consisted of 672 green females, 351 green males, 298 orange males, and 0 orange females. These ratios did not differ significantly from the expected 50:25:25:0 ratios for a single recessive sex linked allele for color phenotype. The F2 cross of green females and orange males produced an F3 consisting of 345 green females, 346 green males, 100 orange females, and 85 orange males. These ratios also conformed to the expected ratios (0.375:0.375:0.125:0.125) with the exception of orange males, which numbers were slightly lower than expected. The pure orange type N. viridula had produced significantly less egg masses and total eggs than green types and their reproductive output, measured as net reproductive rate (Ro), was lower.