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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Insect Control and Cotton Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #316880
Title: A black color morph of adult Nezara viridula (L.)

Author
item Esquivel, Jesus
item BROWN, VERONICA - University Of Tennessee
item Harvey, Roger
item Droleskey, Robert - Bob

Submitted to: Southwestern Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/13/2015
Publication Date: 9/30/2015
Citation: Esquivel, J.F., Brown, V.A., Harvey, R.B., Droleskey, R.E. 2015. A black color morph of adult Nezara viridula (L.). Southwestern Entomologist. 40(3):649-652.

Interpretive Summary: The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a cosmopolitan pest of cotton and other row crops, affecting yield and vectoring disease pathogens. Coloration is occasionally used to identify N. viridula adults infesting crops and to determine their physiological status. Variable coloration occurs in N. viridula but a black color morph has not been previously observed. Thus, the objective here is to report the occurrence of a black color morph of adult N. viridula. In total, six black adults eclosed in a laboratory colony. All black adults originated from the same clutch of eggs and siblings in the common green form were also observed. Genetic analyses indicated the black and green color morphs were similar; however, this does not completely eliminate a genetic difference since differences may be at a locus (or loci) not typically sequenced. A detailed look at additional loci and more individuals could be warranted. Biological implications and impacts of the black coloration are currently unknown because all specimens were used for genetic analyses or as voucher specimens. In the interim, this report presents the first evidence of a black color morph in N. viridula.

Technical Abstract: The southern green stink bug is a worldwide pest of cotton and other row crops, affecting crop yield and transmitting diseases. Adult coloration is sometimes used to identify southern green stink bugs and to determine their physiological condition. Multiple colors occur in southern green stink bug. The objective here is to report the occurrence of a black color morph, which has not been previously observed. In total, six black adults emerged from eggs in a laboratory colony. All black adults originated from the same group of eggs and siblings in the usual green form were also observed. The black and green color morphs were genetically similar; however, this does not completely eliminate a genetic difference since differences may be at a location not normally tested because of limitations on existing genetic testing procedures. Examination of additional genetic locations and more individuals may be needed. The biological influences and impacts of the black coloration are not known because all specimens were used for genetic analyses or as museum specimens. In the interim, this report presents the first evidence of a black color morph in southern green stink bug.