Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea)

312 Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea)

which encompassed the COI-L-COII gene region used in previous studies (Jenkins and Eaton 2011)
from each of the 53 samples (GenBank #AB872048-AB872100). The North American sequence
(GenBank # AB872098-AB872100) showed consensus with GA1 (GenBank #HQ444175) (Jenkins
and Eaton 2011). Phylogenetic analysis then grouped M. cribraria from North America into a single
clade (E) with individuals collected from the island of Kyūshū, Japan. Based on this evidence, it was
concluded that M. cribraria in North America likely came from a population in the Kyūshū region of
Japan (Hosokawa et al. 2014).
A recently completed phylogenetic study of 318 adult Megacopta cribraria indicated the geographic
area along the Korea Strait in northeast Asia, which includes the Kyūshū region, was a probable origin
for the North American introductions (Tracie M. Jenkins unpublished data). The dataset included COI-
L-COII gene sequence from all 2009 Georgia sampling sites, random collections across dispersal sites
in the southeastern United States through 2013, adults intercepted in Honduras in 2012, and collections
across Asia (China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, India). All but a single adult M. cribraria intercepted
in Honduras were haplotype GA1 (Jenkins and Eaton 2011) as duplicated in other studies (Hosokawa
et al. 2014). The GA1 haplotype clustered with individuals collected in the Kyūshū region of southwest
Japan and Gyeongnam and Jeonnam provinces in southeast South Korea. There was little genetic dif-
ferentiation among samples collected in these areas, which seems to indicate historical gene flow across
the Korean Strait (Figure 5.3).

5.6 Economic Impact

5.6.1 Urban/Nuisance Pest

5.6.1.1 Pest Status in Urban Areas

As noted earlier, Megacopta cribraria was discovered in northeast Georgia in late October 2009 after its
presence was noted by numerous property owners (Suiter et al. 2010, Ruberson et al. 2013). Bugs were
observed on vehicles and the outside walls of homes and other buildings, prompting property owners to
contact county extension agents and pest management companies for additional information. On warm,
fall afternoons, the insects flew from nearby, dying kudzu patches onto houses where their presence
was noted (Figure 5.1F-G). They were not reported as pests of agriculture (soybean) until the following
summer.

S Korea

Korea

Strait

Kyūshū

Isl.

Ja pan

N Kore

a

FIGURE 5.3 Geographic origin for Megacopta cribraria based on COI-L-COII gene sequence from 318 samples (Tracie
M. Jenkins, unpublished data).