You are what you eat: Fitness tradeoffs induced by nymphal diet of kudzu bugs (Megacopta cribraria)

The kudzu bug (Megacopta cribraria) is a relatively new introduced agricultural pest of leguminous plants first seen in the American Southeast in 2009. Several previous studies have sought to quantify the life history of this insect, but there is little insight in the literature as to definitive traits of the annual first (kudzu-feeding) and second (soybean-feeding) generations and any differences that exist between the two. Also poorly understood is the ability of these insects to overwinter and what impact this has on rearing them in culture. Herein the life history of each generation is examined in a controlled greenhouse setting and potential fitness tradeoffs are examined through the use of several techniques; including assay of lipid content, observation of reproductive success and longevity, and migration potential as measured by the use of a novel flight mill apparatus. These data were collected into life history tables representative of each generation and analyzed for any differences relevant to fitness tradeoffs incurred by differences in nymphal diet. Results indicate significant (p=.05) difference in life history parameters between generations indicating that current kudzu bug IPM methodology may need to be reexamined to better suit the habits of each generation and ensure more effective and complete control.