Species Chinavia hilaris - Common Green Stink Bug

Green Stink Bug

Green Soldier Bug

Chinavia hilaris (Say, 1832)

Acrosternum (Chinavia) hilare (Say, 1832)

Acrosternum hilare (Say, 1832)

Orig. Comb: Pentatoma hilaris Say, 1832

hilaris = 'lively, cheerful'

13-19 mm(1)

throughout US & adjacent Canada (NS*-FL to BC-CA), ne. Mexico(2)(3)(*BG data)

Woodlands, edges, cultivated land

extremely polyphagous: recorded from 20 plant families(4); adults and older nymphs prefer developing seeds and fruit. May be a pest on soybean, cotton, fruit trees (esp. peach), and many vegetables(5)(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:

Our best interpretation based upon photos here(7)

Eastern C. hilaris can easily be differentiated from C. marginata based on the color of the antennal bands (black and yellow/white in C. hilaris and black and green in C. marginata) but many western C. hilaris exhibit antennal coloration that is more consistent with C. marginata. A 2017 study found high enough levels of genetic divergence between west coast and eastern Chinavia to suggest the presence of a cryptic species(8). Considered in combination with the antennal morphological differences and differences in the patterning and color morphs of nymphs, further study may be warranted to determine whether these populations could be considered separate subspecies or cryptic species.

If users that have access to microscopes and C. hilaris specimens would post photos of C. hilaris genitalia, perhaps additional comparisons could be made. -A. Meeds

Male genitalia:

Female genitalia:

Nezara viridula: scutellum has black (not pale) dot in each basal corner; connexivum uniformly colored, with no or faint dark dot on apical margin of each segment; pronotal sides slightly concave in anterior half; medial spine of second abdominal sternite rounded (not pointed); ventral scent gland pore short and broad (not long and curved); nymphs vary greatly in appearance according to age

Species page - David A. Rider, NDSU(9)

Featured Creatures - Gomez & Mizell 2010(10)