First Findings of Kudzu Bugs in Mississippi

On Friday July 13^th a former graduate student from Clemson was traveling through the Vicksburg, MS area where she stopped at a gas station and noticed six adult kudzu bugs on a vehicle in close proximity to a kudzu patch.  This was the first confirmed find of this pest in the state.

On Saturday July 14^th Tom Allen MSU-ES,  visited kudzu sites in Vicksburg and confirmed quite a few adults and immatures at two of the sites he visited.  On Monday July 16, I checked several kudzu sites between Starkville and Greenwood and confirmed numerous kudzu bugs (adults and immatures) at the intersection of I55 and Hwy 82 in Winona (Montgomery County).

So as of now, we have two confirmed findings in MS (Warren and Montgomery Counties).  Both locations are on main highways or roads which suggest it is very likely that these insects hitchhiked in from infested areas in other states on vehicles.

So what is a “Kudzu Bug”? Kudzu bugs (Megacopta cribraria (F.); Heteroptera: Plataspidae), have several common names including bean plataspid, lablab bug, or globular stink bug.  Kudzu bugs are invasive pest that are native to Asia and feed primarily on kudzu but are also pest of soybeans.  Kudzu bugs can be a nuisance pest to homeowners as well since they will invade houses in the fall similar to what we see with lady beetles in Mississippi. This pest was first reported in GA in 2009 and since has spread quickly across the Southeast.  It is likely since numerous adults and immatures were found in MS that they arrived at these sites last fall and reproduced. We expect it to spread “fairly” quickly to other areas in the state with suitable hosts.

What is the threat to soybeans in Mississippi? “In 19 replicated soybean trials in South Carolina and Georgia, yield was reduced in unprotected plots in 16 of the 19 trials with an average yield loss of 18% with a range of 0-47%” (Phillip Roberts and Jeremy Greene). In the Southeast, they have found that populations will disperse from kudzu to soybeans for several weeks in early spring but once dispersal has ceased, one well timed insecticide application may be sufficient for control.  Because of the high management soybeans and the number of acres scouted by consultants in Mississippi, I do not expect this to be a huge problem for producers here.  However, it will require management and education once populations become thoroughly established here.

We plan to start a comprehensive survey soon to try an identify areas in the state where it may be already present. We would ask that if you find any, please let us know. For extensive information and photos please visit http://kudzubug.org/ We will be providing much more information in the future.

Adult Kudzu Bug, By T. Allen