Megacopta

Hsiao & Jen, 1977

Megacopta is a of in the , containing at least 25 described distributed across Asia. The genus is best known for Megacopta cribraria, the kudzu , which became an pest in North America after its accidental introduction to Georgia in 2009. Members of this genus are , with many species associated with leguminous plants. Several Megacopta species possess obligate bacterial that are essential for normal development and are transmitted via symbiont capsules deposited on masses.

Megacopta by (c) Wang.QG, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Wang.QG. Used under a CC-BY license.

Megacopta by (c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by portioid. Used under a CC-BY license.

Megacopta cribraria by (c) Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Megacopta: /ˌmɛɡəˈkɒptə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution

to Asia, with recorded from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Megacopta cribraria has been to North America, where it is established in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States, and to New Caledonia in Oceania.

Human Relevance

Megacopta cribraria is a significant agricultural pest of soybean in the southeastern United States, capable of causing yield losses through phloem feeding. The also aggregates on human structures in autumn to seek , becoming a nuisance pest that releases foul defensive secretions when disturbed. These secretions can stain fabrics, walls, and skin, and may cause skin irritation or blisters in sensitive individuals. Other species in the have not been reported as economically important pests.

Similar Taxa

Halyomorpha halys (brown marmorated stink bug)Both are Asian that aggregate on buildings for and release defensive odors; however, Megacopta is in while Halyomorpha is in , and Megacopta have a more rounded, globular body shape compared to the shield-shaped pentatomids.
Nezara viridula (southern green stink bug)Both are that feed on legumes including soybean; Nezara is larger, green, and shield-shaped (), while Megacopta is smaller, olive-, and more rounded ().