Georgia kudzu bug. Kudzu appears to be an important initial host for the development of the first generation and the insects have been shown to reduce kudzu biomass. Adult megacopta cribraria are 4 to 6 mm long oblong olive green colored and produce a mildly offensive odor when disturbed. As of 2012 it was spreading rapidly into the surrounding states of alabama florida north carolina south carolina tennessee and virginia.
A serious home invader and potential legume pest. Eventually they mature into adults. In 2013 the spread continued to include all of the states east of the mississippi and south of the ohio river.
Soybean growers in the south have had to find effective ways to control kudzu bug. Kudzu bug females typically lay their eggs on the underside of the host plants. The never before seen insects covered the sides of homes by the thousands and concerned citizens began calling county extension offices daily including the office of urban entomologist dr.
Nymphs hatch and begin feeding on the plants. Occurrence of the old world bug megacopta cribraria fabricius heteroptera. In 2011 was found in north carolina alabama and virginia.
Began in october 2009 when millions of small pill like bugs startled homeowners across nine counties in northeast georgia. Fortunately the united soybean board has worked with researchers at clemson university north carolina state university and university of georgia to release a new guide for growers dealing with this pest. New guide to kudzu bug in soybean.
A relative newcomer to the parade of pests found in the united states the kudzu bug also known as bean plataspid megacopta cribraria first landed near atlanta georgia in 2009likely a stowaway on an international flight from asia the brownish green ladybug sized relative of the stink bug is making a name for itself throughout the southeast feeding on kudzu wisteria soybeans and. Cribraria is an invasive species and was first noticed in northeastern georgia in 2009. And by 2012 is being found in at least two more states that of florida and.
The kudzu bug saga in the us. Suiter university of georgia. It has quickly become established as a severe economic pest of soybean in georgia north carolina south carolina and alabama.
It quickly moved across georgia and south carolina causing extensive soybean damage. In georgia the kudzu bug can complete development from egg to adult in 6 8 weeks. The kudzu bug has been a pest to homeowners since the day it was first discovered in the us.
Kudzu bug in santee national wildlife refuge south carolina in the southeastern united states m. The kudzu bug was first discovered on kudzu in the vicinity of atlanta georgia during the fall of 2009.