Nezara viridula (L.) is a cosmopolitan and polymorphic pentatomid. Several genetically determined types have been described due to body color variation in adults. A survey covering 13 Brazilian states was conducted during 2001 and 2002 to determine the geographical distribution of the main types. Type G (smaragdula - body entirely green), the most common, showed a wide distribution, from south to north (latitude 2º 49' N to 31º 46' S), except in the Central-West Region. Type O (torquata body green with lateral and median lobes of the head and anterior margin of the pronotum yellow), less abundant than the former, was more frequent at latitudes > 23º18' S and mean annual temperatures < 20.8ºC (Southern Region). Type Y (aurantiaca - body entirely gold or orange), which is rare, was collected only in the Southern Region. N. viridula (smaragdula) was captured in only one place in the Northern Region (Boa Vista, RR, latitude 2º 49' N). The abundance of the two most common types, smaragdula and torquata, was not correlated with altitude.
Insecta; southern green stink bug; polymorphic type
