The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), and the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), are common pests in Louisiana agricultural crops including cotton, soybeans, corn and grain sorghum. The objective of this presentation is to point out some visual differences between the two species which are helpful for early field detection.

This 2008 guide was compiled by LSU AgCenter experts and includes regulations, precautions and suggestions for pest control in Louisiana. Detailed topics include drift of pesticides, hazards of pesticides to beneficial insects and wildlife, phytotoxicity and using beneficial insects to control pest populations. A section on organic gardening also is included.

2008 recommendations for corn and grain sorghum insect pests. (PDF Format Only)

In Louisiana, southern green stink bugs and brown stink bugs (Figures 1, 2 and 3) have become common pests of corn, cotton, grain sorghum, soybean and wheat. In corn, an infestation can cause injury to the plant from seedling emergence through ear formation and grain development. Seedlings punctured by stink bugs exhibit small holes surrounded by localized dead tissue.