Kudzu Bug
Scientific Name: Megacopta cribraria
Order & Family: Hemiptera (Plant Bugs) / Plataspidae (Shield Bugs)
Size: 3.5 to 6 mm long (roughly the size of a pea or a ladybug but boxier)
Natural Habitat
Typically found on legumes like soybeans and kudzu vines, but they are notorious for swarming homes in autumn and spring seeking shelter.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on sap from the stems of plants, particularly legumes. Their primary host is kudzu, but they are a significant pest of soybeans.
Behavior Patterns
They exhibit 'swarming' behavior in the fall as they look for overwintering sites, often congregating on light-colored walls of houses. When disturbed, they often play dead and drop.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: They are a major agricultural pest for soybean crops. For homeowners, they are a nuisance pest that can stain fabrics and emit a foul odor when crushed. They do not bite humans.
Identified on: 2/9/2026