Food Preference of Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The study aimed to find out the preference among pepper, tomato and bean plants, of nezara viridula (l.). for this purpose, observations were made at the 4th hour after the release of individuals. food preference of the pest was investigated for each of all biological stages separately, using the average numbers of individuals located on stem, leaf or fruit organs of each plant and anywhere in the cage and percentage of individuals on the preferred plants. experiments conducted in a controlled climate room conditions at temperature 25±1°c, relative humidity 45% ±5% and photoperiod 16:8 h. the study shows that bean, tomato and pepper were preferred by n. viridula respectively with 44.1%, 33.5% and 22.5%. also, pepper was preferred the least by the second-stage nymphs with 8.7% while it was preferred the most by male adults with 36.8%. tomato was preferred the most by male adults while it was preferred the least by the second-stage nymphs with 17.6%. bean was preferred the most by the second-stage nymphs with 73.7% while it was preferred the least by male adults with 8.7%.