Trophic Evolution of Southern Green Stink Bugs (Nezara viridula l.) in Western Part of Romania 1 1 1 1 1 Ioana GROZEA2 *, Ana Maria1 VIRTEIU , Ramona STEF , Alin CARABET , Levente MOLNAR , Teodora FLORIAN and Mihai VLAD 1 Department of Biology and Plant Protection, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary2 Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” Timisoara, Romania. *)Department of Environment and Plant Protection, University of Agricultural Science and Medicine Veterinary Cluj Napoca corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected] BulletinUASVM Horticulture 72(2) / 2015 Print ISSN 1843-5254, Electronic ISSN 1843-5394 DOI:10.15835/buasvmcn-hort:11391 Abstract Nezara viridula L. (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) is a relative a invasive species, highly poliphagous, species of solanaceous, legumes, cruciferous, malvaceous, grasses and other plants are affected. Considering that the insect which make the subject of this scientifically paper is a species detected in our country but unregistered and un- localized as a dangerous species we want to bring to attention potential spread and adaptation to new plant species, especially legumes and ornamental plants. Observations were made in Timis countyN. viridula in the western part of Romania (Timis), during the years 2013 and 2014. It was taken under observation by three types of plants (tomato crop, green space and fruit tree plantation). TheSyringa observations vulgaris Loniceraon plants japonica, have shown Hibiscus that sp. and Magnolia affected liliiflora all four. varieties of tomatoes, especiallyPrunus on fruits,persica both and greenPrunus and persica mature var. stage. nucipersica In green made space in only adults and nymphs was observed on follow ornamental plants: N. viridula , Comparative study between fruit tree plantation has revealed that insect affected only the last one. is a dangerous species for Romania with high expansion potentialKeywords on new: host host plants, plant andinvasive new insect,surfaces. Nezara viridula, polyphagous INTRODUCTION (Nezara viridula L.) The southern green stink bug has piercing- The southern green stink bugs sucking mouthparts. All plant parts are likely to be is a relative new invasive species in fed upon, but growing shoots and developing fruit Europe, being native to warmer areas, respectively are preferred (Squitier, 1997). African and Mediteranean areas. It is considered The degree of damage depends on the one of the most important pentatomid insect pests developmental stage of the plant and when it is in the world (Todd, 1989). pierced by stink bugs.et al., Damage in vegetable can The pest is a cosmopolitan species living result in immature fruit becoming deformed as in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, theyMATERIALS develop (Lye AND 1988).METHODS America, Australia, Europe and Asia (Squitier, 1997;N. Capinera,viridula 2001; Musolin, 2005; Panizzi, 2008; Yukava, 2007). The research has been carried out in Timisoara has long attracted attention not (Timis county) in the western part of Romania, only as a serious pest of numerous agricultural during the years 2013 and 2014. Observations crops, but also as a species expanding its range in were made both in experimental tomato field of many parts of the world (Musolin, 2012). 372 et al GROZEA previously held and also in orchards and green level of numerical population in both years study spaces in the locality. especially in the experimental plots with tomatoes. such as Oxheart, Costoluto Fiorentino, Sweet Baby X and BlackOn tomatoes Cherry were considered four varieties High values ​​were even recorded especially in 2014, with an average of =100.25 individuals- X (Fig.1), the last ones being cherry larvae/plant/read. In 2013 there were high values variety. They were organized in three rehearsals. also, ​​respectively of =64.08 individuals/plant/ Given the potential food species (plants of read (Fig. 2). over 30 botanical families) and the only one alert Adults and nymphs were also present on the reference to the country (in 2010, in Timisoara) X plants, but in smaller numbers; so in 2013 the our study was expanded in terms of area and plant and X X surfaces. average values were =20.35 nimphs/plant/read X During the vegetation period were made =18.34, respectively =47.65 nimphs and observations on plants (two direct readings per =45.55 adults for 2014 (Fig. 2). month from June to October).Nezara viridula.Were taken into A comparative study N.viridulabetween the four consideration both mature (adult) and immature varieties of tomatoes that have been reported all (nymph, larva) forms of forms of green stink bugs , revealed a X > RESULTS AND DISCUSSION greatest number of individuals in Oxheart variety Costoluto Fiorentino X ( 100.0) (Fig.3). High valuesSweet ​​were Babyrecorded variety and Following observations from 2013 and 2014 variety ( =55.66; 96.56). can be seen as the larvae have reached a high Mean values were reported in ( Fig. 1 Sweet Baby Oxheart, Black Cherry Costoluto Fiorentino The four varieties of tomatoes tested were purchased commercially: top left- variety Bulletinof UASVM Horticulture; bottom 72(2) / left- 2015 variety of top right- and bottom right- Nezara viridula l. 373 Trophic Evolution of Southern Green Stink Bugs ( ) in Western Part of Romania X Black Cherry X In green space only adults and nymphs =47.33; 66.07). Less preferred have been shown Syringa vulgaris Lonicera japonica, Hibiscus sp.were and observed Magnolia on liliiflora follow ornamental plants: to be the plants of the variety ( , =17.00; 21.6) (Fig. 3). (Fig. 4, Fig. 8. Fig, In all varieties it can see that in 2014 the 9). Observations were made on several plants average value of the numbers of bed bugs was belonging to 30 botanical families. higher than previous year. Fig. 2 Nezara viridula Average number of individuals belonging different form of , in experimental plots with tomatoes Fig. 3 N. viridula Total number of individuals on four tomato varieties Fig. 4 N. viridula Total number of individuals on ornamental plants inBulletin green UASVM spaces Horticulture 72(2) / 2015 374 et al GROZEA Fig. 5 N. viridula Total number of individuals on fruit tree plantation Fig. 6 Fig. 7 Attacking larvae in green tomato fruits Attacking larvae in red tomato fruits Fig. 8 Magnolia liliiflora Fig. 9 Syringa vulgaris Nimph on plant of Adult on leaves of Fig. 6, 7, 8, 9 Nezara viridula, on tomato plants and ornamentals Aspects of the attack produced by stink bug, N. viridula X In terms of population level of the species Few adults were seen on leaves of Japanese X Syringa Lonicera japonica and X Hibiscus in green spaces it stands on this lilac and honeysuckle and hibiscus ( =3.75.8; 4.0ind./ vulgaris and X Magnolia sp. liliifloramagnolia. plants ( =37.56; 44.66 adults/ =14.25; 21.5 ind./ =30.8; 33.8 nimphs/ ) (Fig. 4). Values ​​ recorded in 2013 were in almost all Bulletin UASVM Horticulture 72(2) / 2015 host plants species lower compared to 2014, Nezara viridula l. 375 Trophic Evolution of Southern Green Stink Bugs ( ) in Western Part of Romania Hibiscus sp. except for the species Prunus where persicavalues are preferred of green stink bedbug. It seems that andwere Prunus similarly. persica var. nucipersica made tomato plants gives conditions for development, in Comparative study between feeding and breeding. (Fig. 5) CONCLUSION fruit tree plantation has revealed that insect X affected only the last one. Although on peach tree X they found only 1 each adult/plant or none ( Invasive species is present both in agricultural =0.00; 2.00) if compared with nectarine, =9.25; areas and green spaces, on vegetable from 9.75, we can say that the peach does not fit the gardens, fruit plantations and ornamental plants. preferences of the pest area. Away, pest prefers vegetables from gardens and There were no differences visible between especially tomatoes. Most often attacks the tomato ripe fruit, but in the green fruit was observed. On the two yearsN. viridulaof observations, average values ​​ are very close.Direct observations on plants have ornamental plants were seen to stick only leaves, shown that affected all four varieties while in fruit trees they preferred fruit mature. of tomatoes, especially on fruits, both green and Since 2011, the population of this pest has mature stage. Adults, nimphs and larvae caused increased worryingly, so requires consideration of damage equally on tomatoes crops. strategiesAcknowledgments. to control in future. All types of insect forms development has been observed on tomato plants, such as eggs, larvae, We thanks to relevant nymphs and adults. All plants in the experimental authorities from Timisoara that have allowed to group showed colonies of small larvae (dark) or madeREFERENCES observation in the park Botanic. larvae large solitary (dark with lighter dorsal points), nymphs (green with lighter points) and 1. Capinera JL (2001). Handbook of vegetable pests. adults (green); some of plants have eggs groups Academic Press, San Diego. 729 p. (transparent white). 2. Lye BH, Story RN, Wright VL (1988). Southern gree stink Only fruits were attacked in tomato plants; bug (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) damage to fresh market visibile damage were produced especially mature Nezaratomatoes. viridula J Ec. Entomol. 81: 190-194. fruits (red fruits). The attacked fruits have many 3. Musolin DL (2005). The the southern gree stink bug (L.) expands its distribution range, not points yellowish joined forming large patches (Fig. only in the UK-Newsl. Heter. Rec. Sch. (Het news). 7). Ripe fruits were affected by transforming tissue 4. 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