A new arrival from China or India , the kudzu bug has taken detainment in the southeastern United States . First spot in the state of Georgia in 2009 , this unwanted immigrant has been spread to nearby states and is now found as far north as Virginia and Maryland . If you are unfamiliar with this trespassing pestis , it is time to study up , as it is quickly migrating to any nearby regions that support thekudzu vine , which this insect thrives on . While an dirt ball that fertilise on the noxious kudzu plant might seem to be a boon , it brings a lot of undesirable challenges for Fannie Merritt Farmer , gardeners and homeowners .
Kudzu Bug I.D.
The Pueraria lobata hemipteran is a relative of thestinkbugand is often bewilderingly identified as a mallet . Adult insects are most square in shape and roughly the sizing of a ladybird beetle , most 1/4 inch long . It march a dark dotted olive brown coloration and have a piercing and sucking mouthpart that is common among its “ true hemipteran ” relatives .
An Appetite For More Than Kudzu
Besides the kudzu mend , this gadfly will feed on several other plant specie , including important economical crops like soybean , green beans , peanuts and butter bean , as well as decorative plants , like wisteria . Like their stinkbug full cousin , the kudzu bug does not run through the botany instantly . Instead , it uses its specialized mouthparts to consume the sap of the works , which leads to browning of leaves , dropping of flower and leafage dieback .
If kudzu bugs are causing damage in your household garden it will be pretty obvious because these worm tend to be found in big issue . While small green dome and butter bean crop may be affected , the worst damage is to commercial-grade soybean farmers who can face importantly reduce output when their fields are inundated by the kudzu bug .
In addition , the kudzu bug can be a major annoyance to homeowner , as they often endeavor to overwinter in structures , like other incursive dirt ball from the same part , such as the well knownAsian ladybugand the ever popularbrown marmorated stinkbug .
Controlling the Kudzu Bug
apart from physical removal , there is not much small - scale James Leonard Farmer and gardeners can do about these pests . constitutive insecticide sprays containing the combat-ready ingredient pyrethrin may have some efficacy , but most organic treatment do not seem to fare well . If indoor overwintering is an issue in your rest home , the expert plan is varnish all exterior cracks on the dwelling and apply the vacuum cleaner to collect the insects that make it at heart .
