Kudzu Bug vs Vivid Dancer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Kudzu Bug Vivid Dancer
Scientific Name Megacopta cribraria Argia vivida
Order Coleoptera Odonata
Family Plataspidae Coenagrionidae
Size 4-6 mm 30-38 mm
Habitat Farmland Deserts & Drylands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions East Asia; invasive in southeastern US North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Kudzu Bug

A small, olive-green, globular beetle that feeds on kudzu and soybeans. It was first detected in North America in 2009.

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Did You Know?

It emits a strong, unpleasant odor when crushed, similar to stink bugs.

Vivid Dancer

A brightly colored dancer damselfly of western North America with intense blue-violet markings. It thrives along desert streams and hot springs.

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Did You Know?

It breeds in thermal springs where water temperatures would be lethal to most other damselflies.