Article author: Suhas Vyavhare
Most recently reviewed by: David Kerns & Stephen Biles (2021)

Common Name(s): Redbanded Stink Bug

Description

The adults are light green with a reddish band across the top of the junction between the thorax and abdomen. They are about 3/8 to 7/16 inch long and ¼ inch wide across the thorax, so they are smaller than southern green stink bug and green stink bug adults. Older nymphs are green and somewhat flattened, with a pattern of red and black markings on the top of the abdomen. The key feature to identify adult redbanded stink bug is the presence of a spine on the ventral side of the abdomen. Some may confuse redshouldered stink bug (Thyanta spp.) with the redbanded stink bug. However, the adult redshouldered stink bug has a flatter finish and do not have the spine on the abdomen.

Origin and Distribution

Originally described from the island of St. Vincent in Caribbean, redbanded stink bug is frequently reported from Central and South America as a major pest of soybean since 1960s. In the US, it is present in more or less numbers throughout the southern states from Florida to Texas.

Habitat & Hosts

Soybean (Glycine max), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), peas (Pisum sativum), lentils (Lens culinaris), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), clover (Trifolium repens), and other forage legumes of the genera Sesbania, Crotolaria, Indigofera, and Cajanus.

Life Cycle

Overwintering adults lay eggs in spring to begin the first generation of the year. Nymphs undergo five instars before becoming adults. Each instar lasts 3-13 days with the 3rd instar being the longest. The redbanded stink bug completes its life cycle in about little over a month depending upon environmental conditions. Each year, multiple generations of stink bugs can develop first on legume weeds, then on soybeans when they begin to flower.

Management

If you live in the State of Texas, contact your local county agent or entomologist for management information. If you live outside of Texas, contact your local extension for management options.

When making treatment decisions, sample stink bugs using a sweep net or ground cloth. The redbanded stink bug causes more damage per individual than other stink bug species resulting in a lower economic threshold. Consider treatment when redbanded stink bugs average 16 adults and older nymphs per 100 sweeps. Use same threshold through the R7 (beginning maturity) growth stage as late season infestation can result in significant quality losses.

Redbanded stink bugs are relatively more difficult to control with insecticides that other species of stink bugs. A variety of insecticide options are available but be aware that the period of vulnerability when pods are developing is much longer, making insecticides with long residual activity a good option. Continued scouting is imperative because flying adult stink bugs can re-infest soybean fields after an insecticide application. Planting early maturing varieties can help avoid severe stink bug infestations to some extent.

Related Publications

https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/resources/management-guides/managing-soybean-insects-in-texas/soybean-insects-late-season-pests-r1-to-r7/

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/bean/redbanded_stink_bug.htm

Citations

Akin, S., J. Phillips, and D. T. Johnson. Biology, identification and management of the redbanded stink bug. University of Arkansas.

Panizzi, A. R., and J. G. Smith. 1977. Biology of Piezodorus guildinii: Oviposition, development time, adult sex ratio, and longevity. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 70: 35-39.

Vyavhare, S. S. 2014. Establishing and implementing an IPM program for the redbanded stink bug: an emerging soybean pest in the southern region, Ph.D. dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.