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Green potato bug - Cuspicona simplex Walker, 1867

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(Present in New Zealand, introduced)

ADULT: Main diagnostic characters

[Cuspicona simplex] SIZE: 8-11 mm (average 9.5 mm). COLOUR: Mostly green, sometimes with yellow, orange or brownish hue. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0 Image
Cuspicona simplex SIZE: 8-11 mm (average 9.5 mm). COLOUR: Mostly green, sometimes with yellow, orange or brownish hue. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0
[Cuspicona simplex]. HUMERI (pronotum hind corners) triangular, extended laterally beyond sides of abdomen. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0 Image
Cuspicona simplex. HUMERI (pronotum hind corners) triangular, extended laterally beyond sides of abdomen. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0
[Cuspicona simplex]. SCUTELLUM (triangular shield) without markings along base. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0 Image
Cuspicona simplex. SCUTELLUM (triangular shield) without markings along base. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0
[Cuspicona simplex]. MESOSTERNAL CARINA (midline ridge underneath thorax between fore and mid legs) strongly developed. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0 Image
Cuspicona simplex. MESOSTERNAL CARINA (midline ridge underneath thorax between fore and mid legs) strongly developed. © MWLR | CC BY-NC 4.0

NYMPH: Main diagnostic characters

Immature stink bugs or nymphs moult through five stages (instars) before becoming adults; the fifth stage or last instar nymph is documented below.

[Cuspicona simplex] last instar nymph. © Derivative of photo by T. Holmes, Plant & Food Research, New Zealand, sourced from NZAC factsheet series. Image
Cuspicona simplex last instar nymph. © Derivative of photo by T. Holmes, Plant & Food Research, New Zealand, sourced from NZAC factsheet series.

BODY LENGTH: About 7 mm. COLOUR: Green with uneven yellowish brown outline on thorax, wing pads and at least part of abdomen; abdomen with one black spot on inner side of each wing pad and two on either side of midline; legs and antennae semi-transparent pale brown (antennal segment 4 dark towards tip).