Soybean insects can significantly reduce producer income through a combination of control costs and yield loss. Key insect pests include stink bugs, caterpillars and threecornered alfalfa hoppers. The objectives for this research seek to improve our understanding of the yield impact of these pests and improve economic thresholds and management. The project aims to determine the yield impact and density of the Brown Marmorated stink bug, determine insecticides providing control of soybean loopers and residual control of velvetbean caterpillars, assess the efficacy of a commercially available soybean looper virus, support the state Pheromone Trapping Program for soybean podworm, soybean looper, tobacco budworm and the African Bollworm, and compare threecornered alfalfa hopper girdling damage and population density in late-season soybeans.
Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, Extension agents