THE EFFECTS OF DAMAGE BY THE GREEN VEGETABLE BUG, NEZARA VIRIDULA (L.) ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF SOYBEANS

Abstract

The green vegetable bug, Nezara viridula (L.) is a pest of soybeans in New South Wales. Investigations were carried out to determine the effects of time and level of infestation, and bug instar on soybean seed yield and quality. Adults were found to cause more damage than nymphs. There was no difference in the degree of damage caused by male and female adults, however, fourth instar nymphs caused more damage than second instars. Early infestations caused more damage than late infestations. The highest infestation level tested of two bugs per metre late in the season did not produce economic damage. Copyright © 1978, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved