Update:
Objective 1 was to monitor or detect the distribution of stink bugs and kudzu bugs in Ohio. Monitoring these pests is an ongoing objective in our work and helps us provide alerts and focus our extension efforts in the most key regions. Kudzu bug monitoring earlier in the year featured traps deployed in nine counties in southern Ohio (Adams, Athens, Butler, Clermont, Madison, Meigs, Montgomery, Ross and Washington). This is a collaborative effort with Ohio Extension Educators, who checked these traps and report to us weekly from May through June. Trapping results were published regularly in the OSU C.O.R.N newsletter. No kudzu bugs were found. Stink bug monitoring was conducted from July through August. Higher than average stink bug populations and subsequent seed damage were found in several parts of the state. We used this information to increase our outreach efforts for stink bug scouting, and we intend to feature this topic in winter extension programs. Objective 2 involved two experiments to help guide soybean production practices. One is a study on whether sticky cards can be used as a monitoring tool in soybean fields to help producers with scouting and management decisions. Based on data from a preliminary study in 2017 we conducted a 2018 experiment involving sticky cards with stink bug pheromone baits, from August through mid-September. We are still analyzing data from this study to look at the spatial patterns of trap location, and to compare trap catches with sweep net data to determine how these traps could best be used in monitoring programs. The traps caught stink bugs in large numbers, suggesting this will be a promising monitoring tool. We plan to repeat this study in 2019, refining it based on results from this year. The other study in this objective was to pinpoint the time of day when bees are most active in soybean, which will help producers to time sprays for minimum impact on the bees. This work was conducted during soybean bloom in July. Data are still being analyzed, but in general the highest bee activity was noted from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Objective 3 was to develop a quick-scout and quick-ID card for different stink bugs found in Ohio soybeans, for use as an in-field scouting aid. This project was completed, the cards printed, and they will be distributed to county extension educators and to farmers during the winter extension season, and are also available free online. Objective 4 was to screen a newer Rag variety with 3 genes (Rag1/Rag2/Rag3) for the presence of any aphids that may be able to survive. In early September, we found a small number of aphids and nymphs on these resistant plants in a field on the Wooster Campus. Although the number of aphids were exceedingly low (no more than 10 per plant), we were able to collect about 20 leaves from different plants with a small number of aphids. These were brought into the laboratory and placed in Petri dishes on detached aphid-susceptible leaves to increase aphid colony size. We have placed cohorts of these aphid colonies on Rag1/Rag2/Rag3 plants to measure their level of production. So far, few have been able to establish substantial colonies. However, we have 3 aphids lines that are able to survive at least 7 days on Rag1/Rag2/Rag3. We will maintain these lines and continuously rear them on Rag1/Rag2/Rag3 plants to create a new virulent biotype.