CURRENT DISTRIBUTION AND PEST STATUS OF NEZARA VIRIDULA (L.) (HEMIPTERA: PENTATOMIDAE) IN AUSTRALIA

Abstract

A mail survey was conducted to assess the current distribution and pest status of Nezara viridula, the green vegetable bug, in Australia. N. viridula is currently widely distributed in eastern and northern Australia, but is uncommon or rare in most of Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. The bug is a significant pest in a broad belt from southeastern Queensland, through central N.S.W., to northern Victoria. While most commonly associated with soybean, N. viridula is also regularly found on other crops, including grain legumes, tomatoes and green beans. The results of a correlation analysis for 198 agricultural shires in Queensland, N.S.W. and Victoria show that the local pest status of N. viridula is not dependent on the area of crop hosts available. Results are discussed with reference to our current understanding of N. viridula biological control. Copyright © 1992, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved