Kudzu Bug in Soybean
Crop Damage: Kudzu bugs (Megacopta cribraria) occur in the U.S. in southern states and along the east coast. Nymphs and adults congregate and feed on soybean stems, nodes, and petioles. Kudzu bugs feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. This causes purple-brown lesions on the stems and nodes. Young nymphs prefer tender tissue and feed at the plant growing point. Economic damage occurs when feeding causes abnormal pod development.
Kudzu bug clustering on soybean.
Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Kudzu bug feeding and lesions on stem of soybean.
Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Pest Description: Adults are ¼ inches long, oblique-square shaped, and mottled brown. Adults look like beetles, but are classified as true bugs. Immature nymphs are covered with hair. Young nymphs are light green and but turn dark olive-green to brown as they mature. The final nymphal stage has dark brown to purple wing pads.
Kudzu bug nymph.
Joe Eger, Dow Agrosciences, Bugwood.org
Kudzu bug nymph with wing pads.
Joe Eger, Dow Agrosciences, Bugwood.org
Adult kudzu bugs.
Michasia Dowdy, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Scouting: Kudzu bugs are attracted to kudzu, horsenettle, vetch, and several other weed species. Inspect field edges, especially weedy areas. If nymphs or adults are found, sample the entire field. Use a sweep net to take 25 sweeps in four locations within a field. If the field is larger than 50 acres, additional locations within the field should be sampled.
Management: Research on managing kudzu bugs is ongoing, and treatment thresholds vary by state. Most recommend treatment when there is an average of one or more immature kudzu bugs present per sweep (equivalent to 25 nymphs in 25 sweeps). Additional research is focused on adjusting planting dates, row width, and tillage practices. Soybean varieties are being tested for resistance against kudzu bugs. Natural enemies have been identified as potential biological control agents.
Developed and reviewed by Carol Pilcher, Iowa State University and Robert Wright, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with support from the United Soybean Board.
Kudzu bug nymph. Photo by Joe Eger, Dow Agrosciences, Bugwood.org.
Kudzu bug nymph with wing pads. Photo by Joe Eger, Dow Agrosciences, Bugwood.org.
Adult kudzu bugs. Photo by Michasia Dowdy, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
Kudzu bug clustering on soybean. Photo by Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
Kudzu bug feeding and lesions on stem of soybean. Photo by Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
Gallery images courtesy Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org; Michasia Dowdy, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org; and Joe Eger, Dow Agrosciences, Bugwood.org.
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