#Harlequin bug pinbox

[trustholidays]

Harlequin bug pinbox

The literal "sucking-to-death" of the host plant results in wilting, browning, and eventual death. The harlequin bug feeds on its host plant by sucking the plant's juices. In the absence of these favorite hosts, tomato, potato, eggplant, okra, bean, asparagus, beet, weeds, fruit trees and field crops may be eaten. Plants commonly attacked by the harlequin bug include such crucifers as horseradish, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, mustard, Brussels sprouts, turnip, kohlrabi and radish. Photograph by James Castner, University of Florida. Adult harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn). At rest, the front pair of wings overlap and the insect's back appears to be marked with a distinct X.įigure 4. Photograph by James Castner, University of Florida.Īdults: The adults are gaudy red-and-black-spotted stink bugs about 9.5 mm long, with flat, shield-shaped bodies. Nymph of the harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn). The abdomen coloration progresses similarly to that of the thorax, getting showier with each progressive molt.įigure 3. The thorax ranges from pale orange in first instars to a final pattern of scarlet, white, yellow and black in the fifth or sixth instars. Antennae of first instars are colorless and darken to black with each progressive molt. The head coloration of the nymphs ranges from pale orange (in first instar), darker (in second to fourth) to black (in fifth instar). Nymphs: There are five or six nymphal instars that feed and grow for four to nine weeks before they are capable of mating. Photograph by Lyle Buss, University of Florida. Eggs and nymphs of the harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn). Photograph by James Castner, University of Florida.įigure 2. Eggs of the harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica (Hahn). The eggs hatch in four to 29 days, the time varying with the temperature.įigure 1. Each egg is marked by two broad black hoops and a black spot. Approximately 12 eggs are laid together in one batch, usually on the underside of the leaves of the host plant. Harlequin bugs pass the winter as adults (commonly referred to as stink bugs) and true hibernation is doubtful.Įggs: Eggs of the harlequin bug resemble tiny white kegs standing on end in a double row ( Figure 1). The life cycle consists of three stages: egg, nymph and adult. It first spread over the southern United States from Mexico shortly after the Civil War.Ī generation of the harlequin bug requires 50 to 80 days. This insect is rarely found north of Colorado and Pennsylvania. The harlequin bug is a southern insect ranging from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts. The harlequin bug injures the host plants by sucking the sap of the plants, causing the plants to wilt, brown and die. This pest has the ability to destroy the entire crop where it is not controlled. The harlequin bug is an important insect pest of cabbage and related crops in the southern half of the United States. Scientific name: Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Introduction - Distribution - Life Cycle and Description - Hosts - Damage - Management - Selected References Introduction (Back to Top)

#Harlequin bug pinbox