Rice Stink Bug, Oebalus pugnax (Fabricius) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
C. T. Camarozano and J. M. Beuzelin
The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This publication describes the rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (Fabricius), a serious pest of a variety of crops, like many other stink bug species, but particularly rice plants. It is widespread through the southeastern United States, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Rice is the preferred host for all O. pugnax stages, and from early nymphs to reproductive adults, this insect is likely to abandon weedy host plants to go feed on developing rice kernels from heading rice plants, if the crop is found nearby.