Genus Chinavia - Green Stink Bugs

Green Soldier Bugs

Chinavia frequently is still referred to as a subgenus of Acrosternum, see (2005 comment by D. Rider)

"The genus name Acrosternum should be restricted to a handful of Old World, small, pale green species that live in dry arid areas. The larger, brighter green species that live in both the Old and New Worlds should actually go by the generic name Chinavia. David Rider, 1 May, 2005

Chinavia Orian 1965

3 spp. in our area(1), 80 spp. worldwide(2)

12-19 mm

Large green bugs. The shape of the stink gland pore is short and broad in Nezara viridula but long and curved in Chinavia:

scent gland channel extends more than half-way to edge of metapleuron

(shorter, more rounded in Nezara)(3)

scutellum has pale dot in each basal corner; antennomeres 3 & 4 blackish, and color is restricted to apical half of segments; connexivia usually with conspicuous dark dot on apical margin of each segment; side of pronotum straight or slightly convex in anterior half; second abdominal sternite has pointed medial spine; ventral scent gland pore long and curved

Additional distinguishing characters here

C. hilaris | C. pensylvanica | C. marginata

Key to eastern spp. adapted from(4):

most of the world; in our area(5):

Woodlands, edges

Feeds on juices from leaves, fruit, flowers of a wide variety of plants (36 families recorded worldwide, 23 families for our 3 spp.) (6)

Keg-shaped eggs are attached to the underside of leaves in double rows of twelve or more. One generation per year in north, two in south.

Hatchlings - 1st and 2nd instars

3rd instar

4th instar

5th instar

This is our best interpretation of BG images based upon Herb Pilcher's images. It is not clear how to tell Chinavia species apart.