Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Pentatomomorpha
Superfamily: Pentatomoidea
Family: Pentatomidae
Sub Family: Pentatominae
Tribe: Rhynchocorini
Genus: Cuspicona
Species: C. simplex
Binomial name: Cuspicona simplex
Common name: Green Potato Bug
Cuspicona simplex is a bug with a body length of about 12mm and was introduced accidentally to New Zealand from Australia where it is a native species. It was first discovered in New Zealand in 1944. It is green in colour, has spined shoulders and a head that is round apically. It looks similar to the cosmopolitan green vegetable bug (Nezara viridula) but has a more ovoid body and a more developed prosternal keel (protruding structure between the forelegs)
Cuspicona simplex is a pest bug that feeds on solanaceous plants especially the genus Solanum, which includes potatoes, tomatoes. It sucks plant juices from stems, leaves, fruits, tender shoots and growing points. Adults overwinter at the base of plants or in grass or loose soil. Two or three generations can occur annually. Eggs are laid in clusters of 14.
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
