Source:  N.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 6/22/11

Kudzu Bug has been found and identified in Union County N.C. It was found near Wingate by a Wingate University student doing a biology study.  It has also been confirmed in Buncombe and Polk Counties in N.C. Last year, South Carolina experienced an explosion in the infestation area of the state starting from the southwestern part of the state to almost complete statewide distribution.

While the Kudzu bug (a.k.a. bean plataspid, Megacopta cribraria Fabricus) does feed on kudzu and many varieties of legumes, the primary agronomic plant host is soybean. So far, kudzu bug has been relatively easy to kill with insecticides (except with neonicotinoids), but will often reinvade. The organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides can be used for control. A preliminary economic threshold, based on Georgia data, is one bug per sweep with large nymphs present, or three bugs per plant with large nymphs present. They are most often observed on soybean stems, sometimes on petioles and underside of leaves with eggs primarily on leaves.

Included are some pictures to help you better identify this pest. If you find it, please let the Extension office know so we can better document this pest. Part of this information was furnished by Dominic Reisig, Extension Entomologist, NCSU.