BULLETIN 689, U. S. DEPAKTMENT OF AGKICULTTJKE. 



to which they are subjected, the light green in certain individuals 



being replaced by 

 purple. Mounted 

 specimens are usually 

 dull green. 



There is consider- 

 able variation in size, 

 the average female 

 being somewhat 

 larger than is the 

 average male. The 

 sexes are differenti- 

 ated by the appear- 

 ance of the last ab- 

 dominal segment, es- 

 pecially by the pres- 

 ence of a notch in the 

 margin at the pos- 

 terior end of the ab- 

 domen of the male 

 (fig. 4.). This notch is 

 not present on the fe- 

 male (fig. 5). A tech- 

 nical description fol- 

 lows. 



Subovate, dorsal surface slightly convex, ventral siu'face strongly so. Color usually 

 green, sometimes tinged with purple. Head somewhat prolonged, angular, tylus 

 equalling cheeks. Eyes very dark red or black, ocelli 

 appearing as tiny beads of amber. Antenna five-jointed; 

 in comparative length the order is as follows: Fu'st, sec- 

 ond, fifth, third, and fourth, the fourth being the longest. 

 In green specimens the distal end of third antennal seg- 

 ment, and at. least the distal half of fourth and fifth, is 

 dark, of a red or brown color. Labrum dark red or brown, 

 a dark line extending from the end of the labrum to dark 

 tip of beak. Sides of pronotum nearly rectilinear. Three 

 or five white points at base of scutellum along edge of 

 pronotum. Black dot at each basal angle of scutellum. Distal end of tibia, and the 

 tarsi, brownish. Small black dots along sides of abdomen at posterior tip of each seg- 

 ment. In pui"plish specimens coloration not so apparent . 

 "When wings are folded, entii'e surface of body, except mem- 

 branous portion of wings, roughened by numerous punc- 

 tures, especially dense on dorsal sru'face. Osteolar canal or 

 orifice short, rather broad, truncated at apex, and not ex- 

 tending more than half way to lateral margin of metaplem'a. 

 From center of base of head to tip of abdomen 10 males 

 average 12.1 mm., ranging from 11 to 13.5 mm. Average 

 width at shoulders 7.85 mm., ranging from 7 to 8.5 mm. 

 Average length of 10 females 13.15 mm., ranging from 12 to 

 15.5 mm. Average width at shoulders 8.3 mm., ranging 

 from 7.5 to 9.5 mm. Average length of head about 2 mm. 



Fig. 3. — Southern green plant-bug ( Nezara viridula): Adult 

 about 4 diameters. 



Enlarged 



Fig. 4. — Southern green plant- 

 bug: Ventral view of tip of 

 abdomen of male. Greatly 

 enlarged. 



/^^' 

 .<&^ 



Fig 5. — Southern green plant- 

 bug: Ventral view of tip of 

 abdomen of female. Greatly 

 enlarged. 



