Overwintering strategy of the brown stink bug in northern Paraná

Abstract

Field observations from April to October 1992, at the Field Experimental Station of EMBRAPA in northern Paraná, indicated that the neotropical brown stink bug (Euschistus heros, Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) overwinters under dead leaves. Insects were found underneath dead leaves of mango and coffee trees, as well as below fallen leaves of the legumes lablab and velvetbean. During this period insects remain inactive, slowly moving legs and antennae when disturbed. They are also darker (dark brown) than the normal (reddish light brown) color presented during Summer.