Green Insects on a Prickly Pear Cactus

Pest Identification

• Prickly pear is prone to infestation by stink bugs, cite Candelario Mondragon-Jacobo and Salvador Perez-Gonzalez in "Cactus (Opuntia spp.) As Forage". The pests are frequently found on the more spiny cultivars of opuntia. Stink bugs come in green or brown colors and are most injurious to plants growing in the southern regions of the United State.

Pest Description

• All stink bugs are shaped like shield with only color and slight size variations between the green and brown species. The green species are 14 to 19 mm long and bright green colored. The main body parts are outline with orange-yellow margins. The barrel shaped, green eggs gradually change to gray and pink. The emerging young or the nymphs resemble adults in shape but are smaller sized. Green stink bugs are mostly black upon emergence and gradually turn green on maturity.

Damage

• Stink bugs feed on the fruit on all fruit bearing plants by piercing the skin with their sharp, needle like mouths. The feeding is likely to transmit the yeast spot disease pathogen in infested plants. Heavy damage to fruit reduces yields. Though the pest host range includes more than 52 plants, the pests prefer wild plant species such as prickly pear.

Control

• The pests have a number of natural predators. However the ability of the stink bugs to emit a highly unpleasant odor, that also gives them their name, deters the natural predators like birds. Insecticidal control options include the use or organophosphate products like methyl parathon or acephate. Pyrethroid insecticides are also recommended for control.