May 24, 2013
ATLANTA (AP) -- With spring on the horizon, entomologists predict that swarms of kudzu bugs will be out in force soon.
The bug destroys kudzu, but it also likes soybeans and ornamental flowers. For anyone with a white house, watch out: the kudzu bug is inexplicably attracted to light colors and may try to burrow into the attic for the winter.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the insect also poses a potential threat to farmers, especially those who grow soybeans.
University of Georgia tests indicate that the bug can cut soybean yields by 20 to 25 percent. In 2012, Georgia farmers grew nearly 8 million bushels of soybeans worth about $120 million. A 25 percent reduction would equal $30 million.
