THE BASKING BEHAVIOUR OF NEZARA VIRIDULA (L.) (PENTATOMIDAE: HEMIPTERA) ON SOYBEANS AND ITS IMPLICATION IN CONTROL

Abstract

During investigations into the behaviour of Nezara viridula (L.) on soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) at Emerald, Queensland in 1976, up to 87% of adults and nymphs present in a crop moved to the surface of the canopy each morning and remained there for a period before returning into the crop. The observed number of adults and nymphs was poorly correlated with the climatic factors recorded (r2= 0.32 for time of day, temperature and humidity). This finding has implications with respect to pest population assessment and the optimum time of day for the application of contact insecticides for control. Copyright © 1980, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved