Overwintering Refuge Sites for Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae)

Megacopta cribraria F. (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) was first reported in the United States near Atlanta, Georgia, in fall 2009 (Suiter et al. 2010, J. Integr. Pest Manag. 1: 1–4) and has since spread throughout the southeastern United States (http:// www.kudzubug.org/distribution_map.cfm). In Asia and the United States, it is commonly associated with its preferred host plant, kudzu, Pueraria montana Lour (Merr.) var. lobata (Willd.) (Fabales: Fabaceae) (Medal et al. 2013, Fla. Entomol. 96: 631–633). Nonetheless, M. cribraria has emerged as a significant pest of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill and may damage a few other legumes in the United States (Eger et al. 2010, Insecta Mundi 0121: 1–11; Hu and Carroll 2012, htpp://agfax.com/2012/05/18/Alabama-soybean-kudzubugs-making-their-move/). In Georgia and South Carolina, yield losses in untreated soybean fields averaged 18% and ranged up to 59.6% (Greene et al. 2012, United Soybean Board, Chesterfield, MO; Seiter et al. 2012, J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 1676–1683). Apart from being odoriferous, crushed nymphs have reportedly caused skin rashes, thereby raising health concerns for workers in soybean fields (Ruberson et al. 2013, Appl Entomol Zool. 48: 3–13). Megacopta cribraria is also viewed as a nuisance pest in fall through spring when adults aggregate on or around homes to overwinter, apparently close to kudzu patches (Eger et al. 2010, Insecta Mundi 0121: 1–11; Ruberson et al. 2013). Little is known about the biology and ecology of M. cribraria in North America. Prominently, we do not understand their behavior and population dynamics when host plants are not available, as in the winter. Knowledge of the overwintering behavior and biology of this species could inform surveillance and management. This study was undertaken to identify overwintering refuge areas preferred by M.