The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology (2000) 47, 388-394

Jason E. Fuxa, James R. Fuxa, Arthur R. Richter and Earl H. Weidner (2000)
Prevalence of a trypanosomatid in the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula
The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology 47 (4), 388-394
Abstract: The southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), and certain of its host plants were examined to determine the prevalence and biological characteristics of an intestinal trypanosomatid. Promastigotes with short (< 17.5 μm excluding flagellum) and long forms (> 25.0 μm) usually infected < 50% of the bugs before August and > 50% (maximum 95%) during August-October, but prevalence was not host-density dependent. The flagellate was detected in adults and in all nymphal instars, at all sampling sites where at least 10 bugs were captured, and in bugs from all host plants sampled (soybean, red clover, vetch). Of bugs with flagellates, 27% were heavily infected (> 20 flagellates per 160× microscope field). Weights of infected and uninfected adults did not differ. Live flagellates were detected in bug feces and in one stem of red clover. When bugs were fed soybean pods, tomatoes, or snap beans in the laboratory, only once were flagellates detected in plant tissue (snap beans). The flagellate was cultured in modified Medium 199. This flagellate is prevalent in N. viridula populations in Louisiana and apparently does not cause significant pathological effects in N. viridula or its host plants, including soybean.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Nezara viridula	Soybean (Glycine max)	U.S.A. (mid S)
	Nezara viridula	Clover (Trifolium)	U.S.A. (mid S)