Description

The redbanded stink bug, Piezodorus guildinii, is an invasive stink bug native to the Caribbean Basin and South America. Adults are most often pale green in color but are variable and can range from brownish to purple. They have a characteristic light red band across the pronotum (top of thorax) in front of the wings. The head is small and triangular, and the antennae are pale orange. Size plays an important role in identification, as adult redbanded stink bugs are much smaller than other green stink bugs, such as Chinavia hilaris, the “green stink bug.” Redbanded stink bugs are 8 mm to 11 mm in length and 4 mm to 6 mm in width across the prothorax behind the head.

Eggs are cylindrical in shape and dark brown in color. Nymphs in early growth stages (instars) are oblong with a red and green forebody and an elongate, dark brown or black central marking on the abdomen. The green color becomes more prominent on later instars with the abdominal markings alternating between black and reddish brown. The entire body of older nymphs may be margined in dark reddish brown or black.

A similar species, Thyanta custator, the “red-shouldered stink bug,” is easily confused with the redbanded stink bug and is not considered a serious pest. It can be distinguished by the more angulate corners of the pronotum in adults and differences in proportions and markings of nymphs. In cases where identification is uncertain, an entomology diagnostician should be consulted.

Life Cycle

Adults emerge from their overwintering sites during spring in search of secondary hosts to feed on. Females begin laying eggs approximately 20 days after emerging as adults. Females lay 15 to 20 eggs in two rows that are parallel on pods, leaves or stems. The redbanded stink bug always lays its eggs in two rows on the upper portion of the leaf or pod, which is unique to this species and is used as a key identifying characteristic of egg masses. Hatching usually occurs within seven days. Hatchlings remain in the nymphal state for 21 to 30 days and during this period progress through five growth stages (instars). The first stage lasts four days, and during the first two stages redbanded stink bugs are gregarious and do not inflict much damage to host plants. After the third stage, nymphs begin feeding intensively and eventually disperse. Adults may live between two to three months in their natural environment. Redbanded stink bugs undergo four to eight generations per growing season in Louisiana. Redbanded stink bugs are inherently mobile, with males dispersing more than females. Wind has a strong influence on dispersal, contributing to its agricultural importance.

In Louisiana, there are two to three evident peaks in population, the first peak taking place in June, the second in July, and the third from August through September. Broadly overlapping generations of all life stages, where eggs, nymphs and adults are present simultaneously, have been observed only in the third peak. The increased developmental time, fertility periods and adult longevity explain the overlapping of generations during the third and final peak of the season. The presence of all life stages simultaneously can lead to extreme control failures.

Ecological Significance and Pest Status

Members of this species first appeared in the United States during the 1970s, and during 2002 it was declared a major economic pest in the southern U.S. Redbanded stink bugs cause significant damage to the leaves, stems, flowers and developing pods of soybeans (Glycine max). It is also a pest of other crops, such as wheat, other legumes, alfalfa and cotton.

Economic infestations have been reported in Louisiana since the pest’s introduction in the early 2000s. Due to their diverse host range and high mobility, redbanded stink bugs are difficult to control. Redbanded stink bugs feed mostly on leguminous crops (Fabaceae) but also on wild plants and other row crops, such as cotton. Soybeans are the predominant host in Louisiana, and redbanded stink bugs cause significant economic damage each year. Stink bugs insert their stylets into the plant and inject salivary enzymes that break down plant tissue for feeding. This type of feeding on soybeans causes delayed maturation of pods, flower and pod abortion, and reduced yields. When the pods are marked, the seeds inside shrivel and become unmarketable. In addition, plants become more susceptible to pathogenic fungi. The redbanded stink bug is considered a late-season pest due to it specifically targeting pod development.

Control

Cultural control. Since the redbanded stink bug is typically a late-season pest, selecting earlier maturing varieties and planting early in the season may aid in controlling stink bug populations. Due to the high mobility of the redbanded stink bug, infestation of even isolated fields is unavoidable, so early planting of fast-maturing varieties may allow the crop to fully mature prior to infestation.

Chemical control. The redbanded stink bug is less susceptible to insecticides than other stink bug species. Action thresholds and duration of treatment are different for redbanded stink bugs compared to those of other members of the stink bug pest complex. Many pyrethroid based insecticides offer only mild suppression of redbanded stink bugs. This is especially true when they are applied alone and not in conjunction with other insecticides. Bifenthrin is the active ingredient that offers the most reliable control of redbanded stink bugs. For an increased rate of control, the combination of two active ingredients is recommended. Insecticides with increased rates of acephate have shown increased efficacy in control, and the use of combinations of insecticides, acephate and bifenthrin, for example, will aid in guarding against insecticidal resistance. Insecticides used to control redbanded stink bugs have a very short residual life on the plant, typically around three days. As a result, chemical applications are often misconstrued as control failures if multiple applications are not applied during an infestation. When using insecticides, reading and following all label instructions is mandatory. Insecticides must be applied only to crops for which they are labeled. Consult the latest Louisiana Insect Pest Management Guides for the latest control recommendations for Louisiana crops. As always, consult with your local parish agent, especially when mixing insecticides for dual application.

References

Akin, S., J. Phillips, and D.T. Johnson. 2011. Biology, identification and management of the red-banded stink bug. University of Arkansas Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Document FSA7078 (accessed 19 November 2020).

Baur, Matthew, and J. Baldwin. 2006. “Red-Banded Stink Bugs Trouble Louisiana.” LSU AgCenter, Louisiana State University.  (accessed 18 May 2021).

LSU AgCenter. 2025. Insect Pest Management Guides. (accessed 2 December 2025).

Husseneder C, J. S. Park, A. Howells, C.V. Tikhe, and J.A. Davis. 2017. Bacteria associated with Piezodorus guildinii (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), with special reference to those transmitted by feeding. Environmental Entomology 46: 159-166.

Temple, J.H., J.A. Davis, S. Micinski, J.T. Hardke, P. Price, and B.R. Leonard. 2013. Species composition and seasonal abundance of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Louisiana soybean. Community and Ecosystem Ecology 42: 648-657 (accessed 19 November 2020).

Temple, J.H. 2011. “Red-banded Stink Bug, Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood): Pest Status, Control Strategies, and Management in Louisiana Soybean.” Ph.D. Dissertation, LSU Digital Commons, 148 pp.  (accessed 18 May 2021).

Contact Us: For advice about pest identification or diagnosis, contact the LSU AgCenter Department of Entomology

Authors

Samuel des Bordes, Kaylee Deynzer, Chris Carlton

P3810
4/28/26 REV
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