There have been only a few calls concerning soybean insect problems. Mostly what is being reported is sub-threshold infestations of stink bugs, green cloverworm, a few remaining Japanese beetles, and kudzu bugs in some areas (see previous article). As usual, we can expect things to get more active as the season progresses. Below are some things to key on. Remember that late maturing fields are generally more likley to have significant insect pests problems. Continue reading
Occasionally, you catch a blister beetle in a sweep net sample in Tennessee soybeans. These large, showy adult beetles may also feed in clusters and defoliate the plants. Defoliation of soybeans in an area a big as a pickup truck is not a concern, but if it occurs over a large area, such as the size of a barn, treatment is warranted. Refer to PB 1768 for control options. Continue reading
First, let me state that I am not aware of any fields that currently require an insecticide application for sugarcane aphids. However, I expect this to change in the very near future. Sub-threshold populations have been observed in Continue reading
This advice is primarily for those in east Tennessee and counties bordering the Mississippi and Alabama borders. The second generation flight of kudzu bugs has been active for the past couple of weeks. I’ve observed treatment level infestations in some fields in east Tennessee and in the Memphis area. It is likley that kudzu bugs have infested and are continuing to lay eggs in other soybean fields. Below are some tips for managing kudzu bugs. Continue reading
The sugarcane aphid has now been confirmed at low numbers in multiple counties in Lauderdale, Shelby, Hardin, Hardeman, Chester, and Henderson Counties. I’m sure they are present in all the southern counties bordering Mississippi. One difference this year is that those in the middle part of the state, especially in counties bordering Alabama and Georgia, need to be alert. Populations are on the increase. What does this mean! Continue reading
Most the action is still centered around plant bugs with some stink bugs in the mix.
You will see higher moth catches in our corn earworm (bollworm) moth traps when the data get posted later this week. The last week of July and the first week of August is often the time we start seeing a few bollworm in the mix, particularly on WideStrike cotton. Let’s talk a little strategy for the next 2-3 weeks. Continue reading
The remaining Soybean Scout School is scheduled for 9:30 AM in Robertson County (see below). Scout Schools are 2-2.5 hour, field-side programs about the nuts and bolts of soybean growth and pest management. They are sponsored in part by the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board and the USB. Scouting notebooks and sweep nets will be provided to participants while supplies last. Continue reading
Sugarcane aphids have now been confirmed in Shelby County. The good news is that populations are very low at this time, and it seems to me that we are on a similar schedule as last year. Thus, I’m hoping that much of the early grain sorghum will be at low risk to serious infestations. The bad news is we seem to be on a similar schedule to last year, and we should anticipate that Continue reading