For Soybean Insect Management, There’s No Substitute for Scouting

The weather in the Mid-South region causes intense pest pressure for row-crop farmers. To maintain yields, farmers must treat numerous insect pests. 

“There’s no substitute for scouting a field,” says Mississippi Extension entomologist Don Cook, Ph.D. “A good insect-pest-management-based approach – when you combine cultural methods, such as planting date, with chemical control – is generally going to provide the best results. Physically walking fields is the best way for a farmer to be able to minimize unneeded applications and save money, with less impact on the environment.”

Cook says insect pests caused more than $41 million in crop-yield losses in the Mississippi in 2015. Below are the three worst culprits; be sure to visit mssoy.org/resources to learn recommended treatment thresholds for each:

• Stink bugs — These direct feeders prefer to be in fields where pods are being filled. Depending on when they arrive, they can cause lost yield and quality.
• Soybean loopers — These pests can cause major defoliation and are one of the biggest threats in the southern region.
• Corn earworms — These pests feed directly on pods and blooms. They’re hard to scout for and are difficult to control.