The Nezara viridula insect is part of the group of Pentatomidae, which refers to stink bugs that play an important role in ecosystems. This species is actually a pest for plants and can also create discomfort in the places where people live. Sometimes it has been observed that in vegetation the insect has a color and in the wintering areas another. In the present paper we wanted to see what are the color categories and how (when) they are changing. Observations were made, therefore, in a short period of time, during 2 months of autumn in 2018 (September and October). Five places were selected, both from vegetation (on the plant) and from pre-wintering (in plant bush, under fresh leaves fallen on the ground, inside the houses and the terraces of the houses) to collect individuals who were subsequently undergoing laboratory coloring studies. The results showed different characteristics with different background color palettes in body of the adult and also in changing of their color. The 4 color phases were cataloged like as follows: standard phase, phase I, phase II, phase III and phase IV. Statistical values of the number of insects included these categories, shown that in Phase II most of the individuals analyzed were present (x̄=8.20 ind. with s=5.05 ind.), followed by standard category (x̄=4.40 ind./s=9.20 ind.). Regarding the evolution of specimens found in different places at one time, it was establish that at the beginning of September the insects belonging the standard category with color green (of the vegetation) have predominate in samples while at last decade of October those from IV category (with brown color of winter). In conclusion, to the autumn, the insect is changing the color gradually with the decreases in temperature and fall of the leaves of the host plants.

Insect, pest, Nezara viridula, vegetation, winter, color body

biology

Presentation: poster