Green bug: lifestyle and habits of the beetle, why this species is dangerous

What is a tree bug?

The common green bug feeds on a variety of plants and can appear anywhere: in the garden, in a summer cottage, in a vegetable garden. Adults overwinter and emerge in the spring, laying eggs on the undersides of leaves. The first nymphs emerge in June, and new adults emerge in early fall.

The life of this species depends on several types of seeds and fruits. Taking enough of these can multiply quickly. Green bugs are found on several important plants. They mainly feed on tomatoes, black cherries, tobacco, elderberries, soybeans, dogwoods, peas, fox, pears, pine trees, peaches, apples, eggplants, apricots, cotton, asparagus, corn and beans.

Description of the garden bug

The green bug has an oval body with wide “shoulders” and a small head. All integuments are reliably protected by a dense chitinous shell, consisting of individual scales. The color changes depending on the time of year. If in the spring it has a bright, green shade of grass and young leaves, then during the summer it gradually darkens. By autumn the color becomes yellowish-brown. In this way, the bug provides itself with camouflage and additional protection from predators.

Habitat

The green bug can be found in any corner of Europe where deciduous trees and berry bushes grow . It can live in forests, green lawns and gardens.

What does it eat?

The absolute favorite is raspberry bushes, gooseberries are a little less popular. In their absence, it can damage any other berry bushes and deciduous trees, as well as succulent grasses. The diet includes cereals and the remains of other insects.

What does a wood bug look like?

The color of the wood bug varies in shades of green and yellow. You can admire it in the photo. The most common is bright green. This body color is emphasized by the addition of small edges of red, yellow and orange. The body looks like a soldier's shield.

It is a slightly elongated oval structure which makes it unique and different from many other species. The total body length is from 13 to 18 mm. It has three pairs of legs, antennae, and two proboscis. Adult bedbugs and nymphs have stink glands under their thorax. From these glands a secretion with a terrible odor is released. This liquid has high industrial value after drying. This dried form is used to overcome the smell of acids.

Description of the green bug

The scientific name of the green bug is the wood bug, but it is more popularly known as the “stink bug.” All because of the extremely unpleasant odor that comes from the insect.

The green body of the bug resembles a complex geometric figure up to 1.5 cm in length. The body seems to be compressed from above and below, and on its front part angular points resembling a shield are clearly visible. This is their distinctive feature and explains their official name “shield bug”. Many chitinous scales form a shell that reliably protects the green bug from mechanical damage. On the head there is a piercing-sucking apparatus and long antennae.

The wings of the insect are located in the lower part of the back. They are quite small, and therefore their scope is small. Although the shield bug flies noisily and is able to cover long distances when it really needs it. Basically, he moves slowly, preferring to spend time on various trees, plants, etc.

The peak of its activity falls in the spring, when the need for mating comes, which occurs right on the branches.

Closer to autumn, it camouflages itself with the color of the nature around it, i.e. turns from light green to brown. At first it is just dark yellow specks, then a full-fledged dark color, suitable for the trunks and branches of plants.

Why do stink bugs smell bad?

A peculiarity of wood scale insects is their unpleasant odor. This is due to the odorous glands on the insect's chest and between its legs. The secretion of the glands consists of aldehydes, and cimicic acid is responsible for the stench.

With the help of such a specific amber, bedbugs invite females for mating, and also drive away enemies; for some insects this smell is deadly. By the way, if you crush the “stinker”, it will begin to emit an even more pungent odor.

Shield bugs themselves perfectly perceive and distinguish the odors around them.

How do they reproduce?

Tree bugs begin to mate in the spring season. They are very active during this period. Insects are found everywhere from May to August. In recent months they have been seen less frequently as they are mainly found on fruit trees.

Warmth makes them more active. The first generation appears in June, and the second in July and August. The life cycle of the green beetle usually lasts more than 45 days.
Wood bug eggs measure 1.4-1.2 mm. Their color at an early stage is yellow, but gradually it turns into green. The final stage of these eggs is pink or gray. They lay eggs in groups. The eggs are arranged in double rows. They become attached to the food source.
Nymphs are initially small black creatures, then their colors begin to change to green, yellow and red as they mature. The bodies are oval in shape and have wings that are poorly developed for flight. In the last stage of molting, they begin to look like adults.
Adult insects are shield-shaped creatures with a pair of wings. They are 14 to 19 mm long and light green in color. There is a narrow yellow line around the pronotum and head area. They suck out plant fluids using their proboscis.

Insect lifestyle

Green tree bugs hibernate in winter, close to a state of suspended animation. During this period, they prefer to look for reliable shelters - leaf litter in the forest, rotten trees or stumps, holes and spaces under stones.

With the onset of warm weather (approximately April-May), stink bugs spread over areas where there are plants suitable for feeding. Since the food of bedbugs mainly consists of the juices of plants and their fruits, they most often settle on fruit trees and shrubs: raspberries, elderberries, cherries. They can also live on ordinary deciduous trees, as well as directly in the grass.

Although green bugs have wings, they use them quite rarely, and fly only when absolutely necessary : if they are absolutely sure that a plant suitable for food is waiting for them upon arrival or this is the only way to escape from predators.

It is also useful to read: Appearance and life characteristics of the Italian bedbug

And also: The best remedies for bedbugs: rating

An example of how a green bug uses its wings (at the end of the video)

Do tree bugs bite?

Tree bugs are unpleasant, but they do not bite or harm people or pets. Prevent them by sealing all entry points into your home and keeping an eye out for pests in your garden. If you notice wood bugs in your place of residence or at your summer cottage, hurry to remove them as soon as possible.

What to do if you are bitten by a wood bug?

You imagined it out of fright. Green tree bugs do not bite. Most likely, you were injured by another insect.

Can they harm people?

Garden bugs have long been recognized as completely safe for humans. They cannot bite, since the oral apparatus is completely unsuited to this. The poison of saliva is dangerous only to insects; its paralyzing effect cannot affect animals and people due to its very low concentration.

The only inconvenience from the presence of green bugs in the apartment is a strong unpleasant odor, which is released very intensely.
Which is not surprising - the forest shield bug is completely disoriented indoors and gets scared. The green bug is not as dangerous as other harmful household insects. Very rarely, an allergic reaction to a stink bug and the secretion of its glands can occur.

How to deal with tree stink bug in the house?

If you find stink bugs in your home or garden, the best way to eliminate them is to physically remove them. Vacuuming is one of the reliable methods for removing bugs both indoors and outdoors.

Keep in mind: they're called stinky for a reason! This also happens if you vacuum them.

Trap

Another natural way to remove stink bugs is to use a soap trap.

You need to do the following:

Fill a metal container with soapy water solution.
Place it under a light source in the area with the highest concentration of bugs
Watch them flock to the trap.

How to deal with stink bugs

The tree stink bug does not pose a threat to gardening and field plantings. However, there are still negative consequences of the presence of an insect. So, it eats fruits and damages leaves and shoots of plants, reducing the amount of harvest.

Fruits on which the bug has crawled or berries that have been bitten by it will have a specific unpleasant odor. Naturally, such a crop is not suitable for consumption or for harvesting.

Among the methods of combating tree stink bug are:

mechanical - manual collection into a separate container (not very effective due to the ability of insects to camouflage and hide);
chemical - the use of various ready-made preparations (for example, Karbofos, Phosfamide, Chlorophos). The method is appropriate when the bedbug population is too large;
destruction using traditional methods - preparing decoctions, solutions and liquids from natural ingredients (safe and quite effective when the number of parasites is small).

Several folk recipes:

Infusion of onion peels: a glass of peelings is placed in 10 liters of hot water and left for 3 days. Treat three times with an interval of 5 days (plants are sprayed with a strained solution).
Mustard infusion: take half a liter of water for 100 grams of dry mustard. Stir everything and add another 9.5 liters of water. Spraying is carried out according to the same scheme.
Use of repellent plants. Planting cohosh (black cohosh) in different corners of the site.

How does a bug get into the house?

Most often, wood bugs rush to take refuge indoors in early autumn, when the leaves begin to turn yellow, the air becomes fresh, and the delicious smells of stewed vegetables fill the house.

Notorious for their stinky reputation, tree bug beetles often enter homes during the colder months while looking for a warm place to overwinter. Although stink bugs do not pose a threat to health or property, this pest can quickly become a source of unpleasant odors in your home.

Like other pests, wood bugs often invade structures in homes in greater numbers, making them difficult to control. As a result, homeowners often look for easy ways to fend off invaders before a large infestation develops.

How to poison an insect?

The most obvious drawback to using any type of poison for indoor pest control is that the substance can affect people and pets. If you have a severe woodbug infestation, consult a professional before spraying. Choose natural pest control products that will not harm you, your pets, or other animals.

Do I need to spray insecticides?

Natural insect control agents include neem (extracted from the neem tree), pyrethrum (extracted from chrysanthemum plants) and various insecticidal soaps, which should be biodegradable. Please note that pyrethrum is toxic to fish and other animals.

After spraying, make sure you remove all dead parasites. If you leave dead beetles in hard-to-reach areas that you haven't vacuumed, they can attract carpet beetles, which can then invade your home.

If you are using poisonous sprays or even natural insect extracts, keep in mind that once the fumes disappear, the insecticide will no longer work on the surviving insects.

Dreams about bedbugs

Every person has beautiful and strange dreams. But why can green bugs dream?

The most common dreams and their interpretation:

If you see a large number of insects in your night dreams, get ready for unexpected troubles.
If you crush bedbugs, a quarrel with relatives will soon occur.
Doing pest control in a dream means moving on to a better paying job.
If insects bite you in a dream, it means that close people are slandering you.
Parasites crawling on the walls - expect unexpected profits.
An insect on clothing indicates the infidelity of the other half.

Today we got acquainted with the appearance and lifestyle of the stink bug. We learned how dangerous the insect is to human health and how to fight it in the garden.

To summarize the above, remember:

How far an insect can coexist peacefully with people depends only on our prudence.
They pose a greater threat only with a strong increase in population.
Accidentally getting into living quarters, the stink bug does not pose any threat. Without being released, he will soon die.

How to get rid of it on the balcony?

How to keep wood bugs at bay? An unfavorable period is the onset of the first cold weather. If your balcony faces a forest or garden, you can expect green stink bugs to visit.

The easiest and most reliable way is to simply carefully collect and sweep them into a plastic bag and send them to the trash, away from home. If there are no things on the balcony, you can spray the wood bugs with some solution, but then you still have to remove them, even the dead ones.

To prevent them from moving into the apartment from the balcony, insulate all possible cracks and crevices. Do not open windows unless you have a mosquito net.

If in the evenings you have a light on in the room adjacent to the balcony, and the balcony itself is not glazed, your fight against wood bugs can become daily.

How to get rid of green bugs - fighting them

Green shield bugs - garden, tree and other types - are malicious agricultural pests. The harvest must be constantly monitored. The appearance of damaged, corroded leaves is the first sign of the presence of pests. We need to immediately take up the fight without waiting for the population to increase and the entire harvest to be damaged.

Control methods are divided into chemical, agrotechnical and folk.

How to get rid of green bugs on plants

To prevent an increase in the number of insects and the danger they pose, you need to fight them immediately when found in the garden, vegetable garden or greenhouse.

You can get rid of these pests on plants using chemical spraying. Insecticides of contact or enteric-contact type of action are used, which kill the insect when it gets inside.

The most common remedy is chlorophos "Antiklop". Biological products that contain entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria that cause insect diseases are also used.

If their number is insignificant, then mechanical actions can help - you can get rid of insects by collecting them manually in a special container (you can pour kerosene into it).

But it is worth noting that this method is ineffective, since they blend in color with the plants and you can miss the female.

A more effective and preventative method of disposal would be to remove fallen leaves - adults like to spend the winter in it; feeding and attracting birds to the garden that feast on shieldweed; dig up the soil in the garden or vegetable garden. It is worth planting black cohosh, an ornamental plant whose smell repels green bugs.

Folk methods of control include treating plants with water tinctures based on the herbs of wormwood, chamomile, onion peel, and mustard. The treatment must be repeated several times, infusions can be alternated or mixed. Bedbugs are also repelled by the smell of spicy plants - cumin, basil, regan and others.

Products based on toxic substances - turpentine, kerosene, dust and the like - are not used in the fight against tree bugs, as they can harm the environment and humans if they get on plants.

For destruction, only natural and harmless to humans and plants are used.

Basic 7 rules to avoid stink bugs getting into your home

To prevent stink bugs from entering your home, use the tips below.

Seal all entry points: - Pay special attention to possible openings along siding and around utility pipes, chimneys, and under wood siding. Seal any cracks and holes that are found using good quality silicone or silicone latex caulk. Wood bugs can enter your home through the smallest of holes, so it is important to promptly repair or replace damaged mosquito nets on windows or doors.
Turn off outdoor lighting: - Tree bugs are attracted to light, so it is recommended to keep outdoor lighting to a minimum. In the evenings, turn it off on the porch and lower the blinds on the windows to prevent light from leaking outside.
Reduce Humidity in the Surrounding Area: - Eliminating moisture buildup around your home can help prevent infestations from many pests, including wood bugs. Check for leaking pipes and clogged drains.
Eliminate food sources: – Another method of getting rid of tree bugs is to deny them access to food. Store food in airtight containers and regularly dispose of trash in sealed containers. In addition, you should constantly wipe down tables and work surfaces in the kitchen, and mop the floors to sweep up crumbs and food spills.
Regular Ventilation: - Properly ventilate basements, attics, and garages to eliminate hiding spots for wood bugs. Consider using a dehumidifier in these areas. Also, be sure to install firewalls over chimney and attic vents.
Check your belongings: - Inspect your belongings and grocery bags before bringing them indoors. Wood bugs can travel on any object and feel comfortable while at home.
Follow the rules of agricultural technology: - keep branches and bushes well trimmed. Additionally, store firewood at least 20 feet from the house and five inches from the ground.

Description and habits of the beetle

Its interesting appearance makes it attractive to people, in particular to children. It is as a result of increased attention that the insect defends itself by secreting a special liquid - a secret characterized by a very strong and, most importantly, unpleasant odor. However, if you do not touch it, the wood bug itself will not attack. This feature makes it safe for humans.

External signs

The green color attracts attention, but in its natural environment the wood bug blends in with the vegetation, making it invisible to its enemies. At different periods, the insect changes color and in the fall it becomes brown, because the environment also changes colors

The average size of a bed bug varies between 11-16 mm. The body shape is angular, but with rounded edges. This makes it look like a shield.

The beetle gets its name from its bright green shell. The color is bright, like young spring greens.

The wings are disproportionately small when compared to the body, which affects the bug's ability to fly. However, it can move long distances and does this only when it is really necessary, for example, when it needs to find a new source of food. The whiskers on the insect's head are segmented. The color of the eggs is light green. They themselves are shaped like a ball, but with a small lid.

Lifestyle

Nutrition occurs by piercing the thin stems and leaves of the plant

The green bug is looking for a place to hibernate. In winter, he falls into torpor, which is akin to suspended animation. For this purpose, the insect selects warm and always dry places for itself. This could be the root system of a stump, old, dried out trees, while the bug hides in cracks or under the bark. Animal burrows and a fairly thick layer of dry foliage are also suitable for wintering.

As soon as the air temperature warms up to 10-15 degrees, the wood bug returns to active life. The main task for the first time at the beginning of spring is to find a sufficient amount of food and get enough.

For this purpose, insects of this species spread throughout the area. Previously, they could be found mostly in forests, villages, summer cottages, i.e. in remote areas from large cities. Today, the wood bug can also live in park areas.

Egg structure: Light green round ball with a small lid

The food source is vegetation, and the insect prefers fruit bushes and trees. However, it can also be found on deciduous trees that do not bear fruit, as well as in grass.

has a functional oral apparatus, thanks to which it pierces and sucks out food. The insect will not find food for itself in the apartment, so it does not strive to get there. The pest does not reproduce in captivity.

The female lays up to 40 eggs. for one laying. They can be found on the inside of foliage. The light green tint makes the eggs less noticeable. The larva appears after about 10 days. Its development lasts several weeks. External characteristics almost completely correspond to an adult individual, with the exception of some nuances: no wings, a different color, small size. The food preferences of the larvae are the same as those of the fully formed bug.

Fruits bitten by a bug will have a characteristic unpleasant odor.

The complexity of the development of nymphs (as larvae are called) lies in the fact that they must go through several stages of molting - up to five. Each time they need to independently get out of the shell, which, by the way, does not have the ability to stretch. This is not an easy task for a newly emerged insect, so a significant part of the young die without ever forming into an adult.

Why is it undesirable to crush stink bugs?

Think before you squash a tree bug. When many people find a wood bug, their first instinct is to squash it.

However, when crushed, stink bugs tend to release a foul-tasting odor from pores on the sides of their bodies. This smell does not disappear for a long time and attracts smelly fellows.

Use a vacuum cleaner

If wood bugs have already entered your home, use a vacuum cleaner to remove them. After cleaning, dispose of the vacuum bag immediately to prevent the odor from entering the area, as dead wood bugs will continue to stink up your home.

Bedbug control

Finding insects in your home that you did not keep is not a pleasant situation. In addition to quiet horror and disgust, many also experience shame and fear that others might find out. Folk remedies and independent attempts to flush out uninvited guests using chemicals from the store are used.

You can get rid of insects and rodents quickly, efficiently and accurately by resorting to.

The company serves more than 18 districts of Moscow, Kazan, Tula, Novosibirsk and provides services for disinsection (extermination of insects), disinfection (destruction of pathogens of infectious diseases), deratization (extermination of rats), deodorization (artificial elimination of unpleasant odors), and house cleaning.

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All drugs have different rates of action on insects; before use, be sure to read the instructions and wear protection, or better yet, trust the professionals.

Helpful Representatives

As already noted, among garden bugs there are also beneficial species that destroy dangerous pests. Such a predatory garden bug is able to inhibit the proliferation of harmful insects in the garden. Let's get to know these helpers better.

Perillus bicentennial

This predator preys on the Colorado potato beetle. The Perillus bug eats not only the larvae of this pest, but is also capable of destroying entire clutches. In addition to the Colorado potato beetle, this bug also feeds on leaf beetles and caterpillars of various butterflies.

The Perillus bug was introduced into the EU from North America. But the beetle cannot withstand harsh winters. Its populations are found only in the Krasnodar region.

Picromerus

Another type of beneficial bug. Picromerus feeds on white American butterflies, sawflies, Colorado potato beetles, cutworms and other parasites. Today, various biofactories and various research institutes are engaged in breeding this insect.

If a population of Picromerus lives in the garden, then you can completely abandon the use of strong insecticidal preparations. However, these beetles are found only in the European part of our country.

How plants die from bugs

The invasion of garden bugs begins with the appearance of several individuals on the site. Sexually mature females do not like to travel: they settle on one plant, mate with males and lay eggs. Within 10-14 days, several dozen new insects hatch and begin to actively feed. Pests inject enzymes into plants that dilute plant juices and facilitate the absorption of liquid.

After a month, the larvae turn into adults, which give rise to a new generation of bedbugs. After 1-2 months, the exponentially multiplying population can destroy the vegetation in the chosen area, be it a flower bed or a bed with vegetables or grains.

Types of bedbug pests

Phytophagous bugs suck juices from the shoots and leaves of agricultural crops, as a result of which the plants weaken and lose their ability to resist fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases. Species that feed on fruits are no less harmful. They inject enzymes into the bite area that dissolve the pulp and facilitate the absorption of nutrient fluid. Berries, vegetables, and fruits acquire an unpleasant odor, and the fruits themselves become unfit for consumption.

In our latitudes, summer cottages and farms suffer from several types of bedbugs:

woody;
marble;
berry;
cruciferous;
pear;
cucumber;
beet;
alfalfa;
alder;
harmful turtle;
horsefly.

A massive pest invasion can reduce the yield of cereals, vegetables and fruits by 30-80%.