Host preference of Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) on selected edible beans, soybean and tropical kudzu

The Kudzu Bug (Megacopta cribraria) is an old world pest that until 2009 when discovered in northeast Georgia did not occur in the western hemisphere. Megacopta cribraria is a legume pest in its native east Asian range. In the U.S. M. cribraria develops on kudzu and soybean completing 2 generations per year on kudzu. In late 2011 through early 2012 adult M. cribraria were found in shipments of poultry in Honduras originating from Georgia. Concern for bean crops grown in Honduras, Guatemala and the U.S. prompted a host range evaluation of M. cribraria on several edible bean strains (18) as well as a variety of tropical kudzu, Pueraria phaseoloides. Choice and no choice tests were conducted in a greenhouse. Nymph development and adult longevity were evaluated by placing egg masses and adult pairs in separate cages with the various entries and monitoring their development over 14 days. Each test was replicated 6 times using a randomized complete block design. Field trials were conducted consisting of 18 of the 19 strains. Numbers of adult infested plants, egg masses, nymphs, and adults were recorded from 21 days after planting, bi-weekly until the majority of entries reached maturity. Greenhouse trials indicate that nymphs develop on soybean varieties, pigeon pea, and fava bean in fewer instances. Adults exhibited variable survival on all entries with higher rates on soybean varieties, pigeon pea, and fava bean. Reproduction and development in field trials was observed on both soybean varieties as well as pigeon pea.