• MU IPM IPM Pest Monitoring Network
  MEG Newsletter
  IPCM Newsletter
  MU IPM Resources
  Subscribe to Newsletters
  Research & Outreach
  
• PAT Training Dates
  PAT Exam Dates
  PAT Resources
  PAT Manuals
  Contact Us
  
• MU IPM Publications
• Plant Sciences Extension

Search IPCM Newsletter Archives

Vol. 16, No. 16
Article 6 of 9
September 1, 2006

Foliage and pod damage from insect feeding continue to occur in many soybean fields statewide. Bean leaf beetle adults, green cloverworm larvae, yellow woolybear larvae, a few fall armyworm and grasshoppers all feed on soybean foliage during this time of the season. The economic threshold for defoliation of soybean is 20 percent or greater during pod fill. Some fields have reached or exceeded this amount of defoliation and required an insecticide application, although defoliation damage in most fields statewide at this time has not reached the threshold. This may change as second generation bean leaf beetles emerge and feed prior to moving to overwintering sites. Of greater concern is damage to soybean pods caused by bean leaf beetle adults, grasshoppers, corn earworm larvae (soybean pod worm), and fall armyworm larvae. The economic threshold for pod damage is 5-10 percent or more of pods damaged by insect feeding. Pod damage in excess of 10 percent can be found in many fields throughout the state. With 2nd generation bean leaf beetle adults still increasing in numbers, it is important that soybean producers scout fields and determine the percent of pods damaged. In most fields bean leaf beetle are the most serious pest and should be the target of an insecticide application. Most insecticides for bean leaf beetle will provide control of other common insect pests found in the field at the time of application.

Wayne Bailey
Entomology
573-882-2838
573-864-9905