Diet

• Adults and nymphs: Primarily herbivorous, using their piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap.

• They feed on leaves, stems, flowers, developing seeds and fruits, depending on the species.

• Several Chinavia species are associated with legumes, fruiting plants and other broad-leaved vegetation.

• Feeding can cause discolouration, deformation and spotting of fruits and developing plant tissues, particularly when populations are high.

Range

• Chinavia is a genus of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) in the subfamily Pentatominae.

• The genus is primarily Neotropical, with species occurring from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America and throughout much of South America.

• They are occasionally sighted in Zihua, where the warm climate and abundant vegetation provide suitable habitat.

Habitat

• Found in tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, woodland, scrub, forest edges, gardens and agricultural areas.

• Adults and nymphs are generally found on leaves, stems, flowers and developing fruits.

• Around Zihua, look on shrubs, small trees and flowering plants, especially where fresh foliage and developing fruit are abundant.

• Many species are active during the warmer parts of the day but may also be attracted to lights at night.

Size

• Adult length: generally approximately 10–18 mm (0.4–0.7 in), depending on species.

• Body broadly oval and shield-shaped, typical of pentatomid stink bugs.

• Many species are predominantly green, although yellow, brown, reddish or patterned forms also occur.