Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Kudzu Bug
Megacopta cribraria
34.02, -84.58
Field Notes
Description:
Megacopta cribraria adults are 4 to 6 mm long, oblong, olive-green colored with brown speckles, and produce a mildly offensive odor when disturbed. As a defense mechanism, they will spray a foul smelling liquid. Aside from smelling foul, the liquid also creates a burning sensation and leaves a red welt on bare skin.
Habitat:
Native to India and China, where it is an agricultural pest. It was first noticed in northeastern Georgia in 2009. Before discovery in Georgia, M. cribraria was not known to occur in the Western Hemisphere. As of 2012, it was spreading rapidly into the surrounding states of Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. It has recently begun to invade Maryland as well. Hosted by wisteria, green beans and other legumes, the insect sucks juice from the stems of soybean plants and reduces crop yield. However, when the insect infests kudzu, another invasive species, it appreciably reduces the growth of that plant.
Notes:
My mother accidentally crushed one of these against her chest while gardening this summer - and it left a painful welt on her skin that looked like a cigarette burn and took several weeks to clear up!
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment
Sign in to comment