Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea)

298 Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea)

The rate of spread as reflected in the distribution map (Figure 5.2) is a function of several factors
including, but not restricted to, the natural spread of the insect, intensity of monitoring activities, impact
of natural enemies, awareness of the insect and its identity in otherwise serendipitous discoveries, and
involvement of modes of human transportation and commerce in moving the insect. Efforts were made
to confirm establishment of the insect in newly reported areas to avoid reporting incidental intercep-
tions. Most reports were of established infestations in kudzu and soybean, the developmental hosts of
the insect. Yet, Gardner et al. (2013a) noted that the insect also had been collected from 33 species of
plants representing 15 taxonomic families. They surmised that the majority of those plants either served
as resting sites or supplied some nourishment to the adults but did not serve as reproductive or develop-
mental hosts.
The hitchhiking ability of Megacopta cribraria was apparent in the discovery of established popula-
tions in kudzu in Warren, Carroll, and Montgomery counties in Mississippi in 2012 adjacent to rest areas
and truck stops along major east-west highway routes and distant from the then-established western edge
of the distribution of the bug. Furthermore, spread might be correlated with other major highway routes
including Interstates 10, 20, 26, 65, 75, 77, 85, and 95. Takano and Takasu (2016) evaluated the ability
of M. cribraria to cling to cloth, metal, and glass surfaces at different wind velocities and found that
at least some individuals were able to cling to metal and cloth surfaces for 1 minute when exposed to
wind speeds of 100 km/hr, thus supporting the hitchhiking theory of spread. Gardner et al. (2013a) also
postulated that adults might be moved on weather fronts, citing numerous reports of adults on windows,
balconies, and rooftop gardens 100 or more meters above ground level in metropolitan condominiums,
apartments, and other high rises. They pointed to the substantial northeastward spread of the insect

2009 Confirmed

2010 Confirmed

2011 Confirmed

2012 Confirmed

2013 Confirmed

2014 Confirmed

2015 Confirmed

2016 Confirmed

FIGURE 5.2 (See color insert.) Distribution of Megacopta cribraria in the southeastern United States, 2009–2016
(Courtesy of Wayne A. Gardner).