Redshouldered stink bug adult (photo: Mike Quinn, TexasEnto.net)
Most recently reviewed by: Extension Entomologist at Weslaco (Vacant) & Pat Porter (2021)
Common Name(s):
Description
Redshouldered stink bug adult ventral view (Photo: Mike Quinn, TexasEnto.net)
Adults are primarily green but can also be brownish in appearance. They are about 10-11 mm (~0.4 inche) long and resembles the redbanded stink bug because of a reddish band across the top of the body between the thorax and abdomen. However, the redbanded stink bug has a long spine protruding between its hind legs; this long spine is lacking in the redshouldered stink bug. Nymphs (immature stages) are dark brown to black. Young nymphs have two distinctive pale spots on opposite sides of their abdomens.
Origin and Distribution
This stink bug is commonly found through Texas and North America.
Life Cycle
In the spring, as temperatures rise, stink bug adults migrate from overwintering sites to the surrounding vegetation. Red-shouldered stink bug females require ~ 3 weeks between the time they reach adulthood and the time they begin to lay eggs. On an average, it takes about 30 days from the egg to adult stage. Both adults and nymphs feed with piercing-sucking mouthparts on young leaves, flowers and developing seeds.
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.Both sweep net sampling and use of drop cloth are an effective methods of sampling for stink bugs in field crops. Red-shouldered stink bug cause little injury compared to other commonly known stink bug pests of field crops and is much easier to control with chemical insecticides. When scouting, combine both the adults and nymphs of all stink bug species into a single count and base treatment decisions using recommended action thresholds for different crops.
