A Record of Red Banded Shield Bug, Piezodorus hybneri on Mung Bean

The occurrence of stinkbug Piezodorus hybneri (Gmel.) was recorded for the first time on mung bean, Vigna radiata and the biology of P. hybneri were studied in comparison with a similar species Nezara viridula (L.) at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Female P. hybneri laid 18 to 48 eggs typically in two rows with an average of 36.7 ± 10.6 eggs, which measures 1.0 x 0.7 mm. The egg period was 3 to 4 days with five nymphal instars and the total duration last for 23 to 28 days. The shield shaped adults were medium sized, (8 to l0 mm long and 5.0 to 6.0 mm in width) with a significant reddish brown band in the anterior margin of the scutellum. Female N. viridula laid about 69 to 120 eggs in a hexagonal shape with an average of 96.2 ± 16.7 eggs. The eggs were pale yellow or cream colour at oviposition and turned pinkish before hatching. There were five nymphal instars with the duration of 31 to 36 days. Adults of N. viridula were shield shaped with bright green colour. The total life cycle of 45 to 51 days for N. viridula and 38 to 42 days for P. hybneri was observed.