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

The Kudzu Bug (Megacopta cribraria) is an old world pest that until discovered in 2009 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 is bivoltine on kudzu and soybean. In late 2011 through early 2012 adult M. cribraria were found in poultry shipments in Honduras originating from Georgia. Concern for bean crops grown in Central America and the U.S. prompted a host range evaluation of M. cribraria on several edible beans of commercial interest(16-18). 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 several days. Each test was replicated 6 times using a randomized complete block design. Field trials were conducted consisting of 17 strains replicated 4 times. Numbers of adult infested plants, egg masses, nymphs, and adults were recorded from 35 days after planting (DAP) to 77 DAP. Nymphs develope well on soybeans in the greenhouse and in the field. Adults followed suit prefereing soybeans and one other strain evaluated.