Comparative Phenology of the Kudzu Bug, Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in Soybean and Kudzu in the Southeast U.S.

Since its introduction into North America, Megacopta cribraria F. has become an economically important pest of soybean in the Southeast. Kudzu and soybean are the primary hosts of M. cribraria in the U.S. In this study we investigated the role kudzu plays as a source of M. cribraria infestation in soybean and how M. cribraria phenology differs between host species. Flight intercept traps were placed in soybean planted in mid-April and kudzu patches within close proximity at several Georgia locations. Traps were monitored from spring to fall 2012 to 2013 and adults were counted and removed weekly. Adults and nymphs were enumerated from sweep samples and egg masses from whole soybean plants and kudzu shoots. Two generations occurred in kudzu and soybean. Adults were detected first in kudzu in early spring and in soybean about 30 days after planting. Development in soybean occurred later than in kudzu. This data suggests infestation by M. cribraria is related to host availability and two full generations may develop when hosts are present. Early planted and full season soybean are at greater risk of infestation by M. cribraria than double crop or late planted soybean.