The nubbin-sized Japanese invader arrived on American shores somewhere near Atlanta in 2009. Today it’s eating pesky kudzu across at least three states. Unfortunately, it’s chowing on soybean crops, too.
Somewhere near here, an uninvited guest – a nubbin-size stinkbug, like a tiny drab ladybug – arrived on America’s shores in 2009 and found, like invasive species that had come before, a bounty.
In this case, the so-called kudzu bug found kudzu – another Asian invader that has become the drapery of the South and has withstood all previous attempts, be they goat or chemical, to control “the vine that ate the South.”
But as the invading kudzu bug colony has metastasized across at least three states in a mere three years, the kudzu bug has developed a major downside. Their food preferences controlled, robot-like, by symbiotic bacteria, the bugs have suddenly begun to sink their “piercing-sucking mouthparts” into soybean leaves, as well, reducing yields by as much as half by stressing the plants.
Unlike the 1920s and the boll weevil, we have the ability to deal with insects. Provided the EPA quits banning the options. Boll weevil is largely containable and I can’t imagine this bug being any different. Now, organic soy farmers are potentially in for a hurt. Soy is a huge crop and agricultural chemical manufacturers spend millions developing products for that market. I am aware of the dangers of invasive species, but inthis case, it may be worth the risk.
Nik – my thoughts exactly. A bit of specific pesticide on the soybeans – or even better a GMO soybean that the bugs won’t eat – and you’ve solved a major problem with a minor one. Of course, this assumes a rational policy emanating from the EPA. I’m not going to hold my breath.
Soybeans are attacked by 5 spotted bean beetles routinely, which basically skeletonize the leaves of soybean plants. I couldn’t plant my own beans when the farmer next door decided to rotate in soybeans instead of corn. The solution is the same. If there are too many bugs munching on the leaves you spray the plants. Agree with the comments above about the EPA being the real enemy to soy bean farmers.