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Plataspid true bug

Megacopta cribraria

Photo by Nathan14
Published on Project Noah
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33.8114, -84.3101

Field Notes

Description:

Beetle-like. Shown next to a ball point pen tip.

Habitat:

State of Georgia, US.

Notes:

I don't think it's a bed bug but would like to know what it is.

Species ID Suggestions

Kudzu bug

Megacopta cribraria

Plataspid true bug

Megacopta cribraria

Comments (3)

It's a kudzu bug. You thank the ones in Athens ga for that one. Someone thought that they heavily eat on kudzu, so they had shipped them over to study and breed. Well it turns out they just hang out and breed amongst it. But it was too late, so we are stuck with them. Honestly I think they were trying to create a problem and knew about them before bringing them here.
What you appear to have here is a true bug from the Family Plataspidae. They are small bugs similar in shape to the stink bugs and shield-backed bugs. They have an enlarged scutellum like the shield-backed bugs (Scutelleridae). The scutellum is the prominent triangle seen on the back of the stink bugs (Pentatomidae). Here's a picture of your insect on bugguide: http://bugguide.net/node/view/349515
Photo is fuzzy, but it sure looks like a fat wood tick...
Photographed
PublishedMarch 16, 2012

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