Could Kudzu bugs be toxic to hatchlings

Kevin-GA · Wed May 08, 2013 4:13 pm

I had the County Agent come out to identify a new bug I haven't seen before, he identified the bugs as Kudzu bugs. They have been all over everything green and are also attracted to white objects (including gourds). They are an invasive pest species from India and China, just what we need another invasive species!!

I,m thinking the Martins have been feeding them to the hatchlings in large numbers because they are so plentiful. They are just the right size for new born hatchlings and I seem to be having a higher mortality rate than normal. During last nest check 5/5 we had 35 live and 13 dead, I checked the same nests today and found 3 more dead, this is not normal. They have no marks on them and they are still in the nest, so its not the sy's. All of the gourds were cleaned out this winter with bleach and rinsed thoroughly. The Kudzu bugs are the only thing different this year besides more pairs. There has been no pesticides sprayed on the farm, it's a mystery to me?

I would appreciate any thoughts or possible explanation.
Thanks

terrapincove · Wed May 08, 2013 8:29 pm

Kevin

Did you inspect the stomach contents of the dead Martin babies?

Kevin-GA · Wed May 08, 2013 10:46 pm

Hugh, No I didn't, but I will if it continues to happen. We should have lots of new hatchlings on Saturday and I will be doing a full nest check again. The bugs seem to be tapering off a bit, so if it is them causing the problem maybe it will soon be over. They smell just like a stink bug if you mash one and they have a hard like shell that covers their wings, alot like a lady bug but harder. I'm thinking that the shell may be to much for the little ones to digest when being fed large numbers.

I would rather it be a virus or something natural in the bird world, because from what I've read about these bugs, they are spreading like wildfire. Kudzu was a bad idea and now someone has brought this bug in to control the rapid growth of the vine. (another bad idea)

Thanks

Don Strickland · Thu May 09, 2013 6:22 am

Several articles on Kudzu bugs.. Search...

Large numbers of kudzu bugs are a nuisance in and around structures. Their body secretions produce a foul odor and can stain fabrics and wall coverings. Directly handling kudzu bugs can cause staining of the skin and even blistering and moderate discomfort in some sensitive individuals.

Sounds like they could very well be toxic to young birds.
Don

Louise Chambers · Thu May 09, 2013 8:34 am

Martins feed such a wide range of food to their nestlings - it includes all kinds of beetles, stinkbugs, and hard-shelled insects. They are well equipped to handle insect exoskeletons, which get ground up in the gizzard and can be spotted easily if you look at some fecal sacs. As to toxicity of kudzu beetles, I did a search and did not find anything yet, these are so new to N America, but will try to dig around more. I hope you have no more losses. This spring has had such awful weather, all over, and it just won't let go!

Don Strickland · Thu May 09, 2013 8:55 am

Here's a link and a paragraph from that link.

http://news.yahoo.com/kudzu-bug-threate ... 13212.html

The bugs secrete a caustic substance that smells like a cross between a commercial cleanser and an industrial lubricant. Greene says it's unclear whether this is a defensive device, a way of locating each other in a field, or serves some other purpose.
Whatever it's for, the secretions are potent enough to etch the bottoms of the plastic tubs he uses to ship samples to colleagues — and to stain the skin on Seiter's blistered right palm a pale orange that can't be washed off

Must be pretty powerful secretions to etch a plastic bucket......if I understand the meaning of ETCH.

Don