Southern Green Stink Bug in Soybean
Crop Damage
The southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula) is a destructive agricultural pest found throughout many regions of the world. It feeds on more than 300 different host plants, including numerous ornamentals, vegetable crops, and field crops. In the United States, it is one of the most serious and persistent pests of soybean, particularly in the Gulf Coast states and along the Atlantic Coast from Virginia to Florida. In Oklahoma, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio, it is generally considered a minor soybean pest.
Both nymphs and adults use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on soybean leaves, stems, flowers, pods, and seeds. As they feed, they inject digestive enzymes that damage plant tissue and expose the area to pathogens. Southern green stink bugs cause the greatest economic damage when they feed on pods and seeds, which can result in shriveled seeds and reduced seed size.
Pest Description
Young nymphs are reddish-brown or black. As they develop, they turn green and have distinct white or pink markings along the outer edge of the abdomen. Adult southern green stink bugs are approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inches long and uniform green. They have distinctive red bands on their antennae. The triangular plate located in the center of the back (scutellum), has a row of spots along its upper edge, consisting of two black spots on the outer edges and three white spots on the inside.
Southern green stink bug nymph. The white arrow indicates markings on the edge of the abdomen.
Jennifer Carr, University of Florida, Bugwood.org.
Southern green stink bug adult. The white arrow indicates red bands on the antennae.
Johnny N Dell, Bugwood.org.
Scouting
States use different scouting protocols and management thresholds based on the seasonal movement, abundance, and potential damage caused by southern green stink bugs. Depending on the state, scouting is recommended when soybeans begin blooming (Stage R1) and may continue until full maturity (Stage R8). Sweep nets and drop cloths are two common tools used to monitor southern green stink bug populations. When using a sweep net, take 25 sweeps in 4 locations within the field. Larger fields may require additional sampling locations to obtain an accurate estimate of stink bug populations. Count the number of older nymphs and adults. When using a drop cloth, place a 6-foot-long white sheet between two rows and shake all the plants on one side towards the sheet in 5 to 8 locations in a field. Count the older nymphs and adults that land on the sheet and determine the average number per row foot.
Management
Common insecticide treatment thresholds for stink bugs when using a sweep net are 9 stink bugs per 25 sweeps (40 stink bugs per 100 sweeps) for grain production fields and 5 stink bugs per 25 sweeps (20 stink bugs per 100 sweeps) in seed production fields. States with a history of southern green stink bug infestations may have different treatment thresholds. Examples include 3 stink bugs per 25 sweeps during growth stages R1 to R4, increasing to 9 stink bugs per 25 sweeps from R5 to R6.5 plus 7 days; 2 to 4 stink bugs per 25 sweeps during growth stages R3 to R6.5, increasing to 10 stink bugs per 25 sweeps from R6.5 to R7; and 4 stink bugs per 25 sweeps during growth stages R1 to R8.
Drop cloth treatment thresholds are 1 stink bug per row foot for grain production fields and 1 stink bug in the six-foot row for seed production fields. Some states also use growth-stage-specific thresholds. For example, 0.33 stink bugs per row foot during growth stages R1 to R4, increasing to 1 stink bug per row foot from R5 to R6.5 plus 7 days.
Timing of scouting and treatment thresholds vary by state, so consult with local or state extension specialists for current scouting and treatment recommendations. If multiple stink bug species are present, assess their potential impact before making management decisions. If treatment is warranted, consider the pre-harvest interval (PHI) when selecting an insecticide for late-season applications.
Developed and reviewed by Carol Pilcher, Iowa State University and Robert Wright, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with support from the United Soybean Board.
Southern green stink bug nymph. The white arrow indicates markings on the edge of the abdomen. Jennifer Carr, University of Florida, Bugwood.org.
Southern green stink bug adult. The white arrow indicates red bands on the antennae. Johnny N Dell, Bugwood.org.
Southern green stink bug nymph. The white arrow indicates pink markings on the edge of the abdomen. Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
Southern green stink bug adult. The white arrows indicate the row of black and white spots. Rebekah Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
Gallery images courtesy of Jennifer Carr, University of Florida, Bugwood.org; Johnny N Dell, Bugwood.org; Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org; and Rebekah Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
This publication was developed by the Crop Protection Network, a multi-state and international collaboration of university/provincial extension specialists and public/ private professionals that provides unbiased, research-based information to farmers and agricultural personnel. The information in this publication is only a guide, and the authors assume no liability for practices implemented based on this information. Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others that may be similar. Individuals using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Extension Implementation Program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
©2026 by the Crop Protection Network. All rights reserved.
