2021
Stink bug management: Key for economic soybean production in Alabama
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Alabama Soybean Producers
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Biotic stressCrop protectionField management Pest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Scott Graham, Auburn University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Alabama Soybean Producers
$15,000
Institution Funded:
Auburn University
$15,000
Brief Project Summary:
Stink bugs infest Alabama soybeans annually as the most damaging pest complex farmer face. The complex includes southern green, brown, green and brown marmorated stink bug species. Following warm winters, the redbanded stink bug may also steal yield. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System uses a much more aggressive economic threshold for stink bug treatment in soybeans, three times lower than other states across the south. This research evaluated those thresholds and control recommendations. It also examined initial and residual control of these stink bugs.
Key Beneficiaries:
#farmers
Unique Keywords:
#insect management, #insects and pests, #stink bugs
Information And Results
Project Summary

The stink bug complex is annually the most important insect pest of Alabama soybeans. This complex is made up of our “traditional” species (% of complex in 2020), the southern green stink bug (60%), brown stink bug (20%) and green stink bug (5%) as well as the invasive (but established) brown marmorated stink bug (5%). In years following warm winters, the redbanded stink bug (RBSB) may also pose as serious threat. In 2020, this pest made up roughly 10% of the species composition. In addition to causing more damage than our traditional species, the RBSB is also more difficult to control. Although this pest is likely to be a factor in the central and southern parts of Alabama, if it does invade north Alabama, it will likely be later in the season. Thus, research needs to be done evaluating management strategies for the traditional stink bug complex and the RBSB.

Project Objectives

1. Evaluate the current ACES recommended threshold for the traditional stink bug complex.
2. Evaluate initial and residual control of the traditional stink bug complex with selected insecticides.
3. Evaluate initial and residual control of the RBSB with selected insecticides.

Project Deliverables

Updated stick bug complex threshold and control recommendations.

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

Up-to-date, unbiased information is needed for making any agricultural management decision, including insect management decisions. The potential for insecticide resistance can be a major issue for row crop production. Conducting “routine” insecticide efficacy studies, combined with reports from growers and agri-fieldmen provide initial indications of possible resistance issues. With profit margins so small due to market conditions, making well informed, economical insect management decisions is crucial. Trial work to monitor in-season insecticide efficacy plays a key role in this system.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.