What’s Bugging Your Soybean Fields?

Last year, the redbanded stink bug caused havoc in many Mississippi soybean fields, especially in the central part of the state. Entomologists are advising growers to be ready for another tough year.

“Redbanded stink bug densities have been low, but some fields have reached threshold levels and have been treated,” says Don Cook, Mississippi State University (MSU) entomologist.

Cook says that although insect pressure has been pretty low, farmers should be on the lookout for the redbanded stink bug, which is increasing in occurrence, especially in soybeans in R4 or later stages.

“We’ve been finding them pretty easy since early April,” he says. “With the mild winter and problems central Mississippi had last year, the redbanded stink bug is the one to watch.”

Mississippi does have a history with this pest. In 2009, redbanded stink bugs were treated in numerous areas of the state, but numbers crashed in 2010. They reappeared in a few fields in 2013, and then almost disappeared until 2016. 

Redbanded stink bugs are more aggressive feeders than other stink bugs, appear to be more damaging, and re-infest fields much more quickly after treatments. Plus, the mild winter allowed for greater overwintering survival.

Because of this, entomologists reduced the traditional stink bug threshold from nine in 25 sweeps to four in 25 sweeps for this species.

“We’re going to have to pay very close attention to them going forward,” Cook says.