United-states-invasion
Guides
Megacopta cribraria
kudzu bug, bean plataspid, globular stink bug, lablab bug
Megacopta cribraria is a plataspid shield bug native to South and East Asia that has become a significant invasive pest in the southeastern United States since its discovery in Georgia in 2009. The species exhibits a specialized symbiotic relationship with gut bacteria, particularly Candidatus Ishikawella capsulata, which enables it to feed on leguminous plants. North American populations descend from Japanese lineages and possess microbiomes that facilitate soybean infestation, distinguishing them from some Asian populations. The bug is notable for its strong aggregation behavior, attraction to white surfaces, and defensive secretion that causes odor, skin irritation, and staining.