Small upsurge in kudzu bug populations

Kudzu bug has been spotted above threshold (1 nymph per sweep – use at least 15 sweep samples in multiple parts of the field) in south central Virginia and in parts of central North Carolina. Kudzu bugs typically move into soybean in July-August in our state. Distribution surveys conducted by the entomology department in 2016 showed that kudzu bug are present in many soybean growing regions of our state.

Please consider the following information before making the decision to spray for this pest.

  1. Wait until nymphs (nymphs are wingless and cannot fly) are present in the field. Adults can make multiple invasions into a field. You do not want to make repeated sprays for this pest.
  2. Insecticides labeled for kudzu bug are broad-spectrum and will kill beneficials in your field. We are experiencing a large and early corn earworm flight this year in Virginia. Worm pests are much more likely to be a problem in fields that have been previously sprayed.

I’ll keep you posted on what we are seeing in soybean throughout Virginia. Please call if you have something to report.

Sally 919-801-5366