Natural Enemy Of Bean Pest Discovered

By Growing Produce Staff|August 20, 2013

Kudzu bugs, a pest of various types of beans, were first detected in two counties in Georgia in 2009. Since that time, this pest has invaded 10 states in the Southeast.

In Alabama, researchers are striving to provide not only more information on the kudzu bug’s feeding, mating, and migratory habits but also determine effective control strategies, according to a recent article in the Alabama IPM Communicator.

Alabama’s Cooperative Extension Systems’ findings in July 2013 show that the kudzu bug is up against a native parasitoid that has the potential to reduce the numbers of this bean pest. In the course of research, a parasitic fly that feeds inside kudzu bug adults, particularly the female bugs, has been discovered. The parasitic rate is relatively high, presenting the potential to reduce the kudzu bug’s numbers.

The discovery of this parasite may also provide a viable alternative to introducing imported natural enemies, allowing nature to reduce kudzu bug populations.

Click here to view the Alabama IPM Communicator newsletter and click on the article called “Discovery of Native Natural Enemies of Kudzu Bug.”