# Southern Green Stink Bug (*Nezara viridula*) The Southern Green Stink Bug is a bright green bug that can be found in gardens and fields. It has a funny smell when it feels threatened, which helps keep it safe from predators. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Southern Green Stink Bug](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Nezara_viridula_MHNT_verte.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nezara_viridula_MHNT_verte.jpg) ## Appearance The Southern Green Stink Bug is a vibrant apple-green, shield-shaped insect with a broad, flat body. Its underside is often yellowish-green, and it typically has reddish-brown eyes. Its distinct, flat appearance and uniform green color help it blend with foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Pentatomidae - **Genus:** Nezara ## Interesting facts - Females can lay hundreds of eggs, often in neat rows on plant leaves! - In cooler places, adults hibernate during winter, waking up when it gets warm! - Stink bugs can fly into your house, especially when looking for warmth or shelter! - This bug travels the world, living on every continent except Antarctica! ## Special abilities - **Stink Cloud Defense:** Southern Green Stink Bug can release a foul-smelling liquid when threatened, because of specialized glands that help them deter predators. - **Nature's Camouflage:** Southern Green Stink Bug has a bright green body that helps them blend perfectly with plant leaves, making them hard to spot. - **Sap Sip Siphon:** Southern Green Stink Bug has needle-like mouthparts that help them pierce plants and suck out their nourishing juices. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 12-17 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-120 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This bug uses its straw-like mouth to drink juices from many different plants, fruits, and seeds. - **Primary Foods:** Tomato, Bean, Corn, Soybean, Citrus fruits, Cotton - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** Stink Bug Egg Parasitoid (*Trissolcus basalis*) — This tiny wasp lays its eggs inside the stink bug's eggs. - **Hunts:** Spined Soldier Bug (*Podisus maculiventris*) — This predatory bug preys on stink bug nymphs and adults. - **Depends on:** [Tomato](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tomato) (*Solanum lycopersicum*) — The stink bug feeds on the sap and fruit of this plant. - **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Birds like sparrows might eat adult stink bugs. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't touch bugs you find outside, as some may bite or smell bad! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Southern Green Stink Bug? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Southern Green Stink Bug? 12-17 mm ### How long does Southern Green Stink Bug live? 60-120 days ### What does Southern Green Stink Bug eat? This bug uses its straw-like mouth to drink juices from many different plants, fruits, and seeds. ### Where is Southern Green Stink Bug usually found? Urban areas ### How does Southern Green Stink Bug hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Southern Green Stink Bug have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Wahiawa Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wahiawa-botanical-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Southern Green Stink Bug: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-green-stink-bug)