Late Season Soybean Pests

While the crop progresses into maturity and scouting continues, some folks are noticing late season insect feeding. Second generation bean leaf beetles are showing up in some areas and causing concern. These beetles can feed until the soybean plant senesces, or begins to turn, and the biggest concern is feeding on the pods. Feeding damage to the soybean pod allows for water and pathogens to enter the seed pod and cause damage to the seed inside. If later planted soybeans are still in the R5 stage (seed 1/8 inch long in a pod on one of the top 4 nodes) and 10-15 percent of pods show signs of feeding with active beetles in the field, control may be warranted.

Stink bugs have been observed in some fields as well. Stink bugs can feed on pods and cause seeds to be small and shriveled. Threshold for stink bug control is 4 stink bug adults, nymphs or both in 10 sweeps of a sweep net across 3-5 locations in a field. Similar to bean leaf beetle, most soybeans are far enough along in mantuary that control is not cost effective, but later planted soybeans may be a different story. If you have any questions contact your local Dairyland DSM or Regional Agronomist.   

Brian Weller Western Region 507.456.3034	Dan Ritter Central Region 219.863.0583	Branden Furseth Northern Region 608.513.4265	Mark Gibson Eastern Region 260.330.8968	Amanda Goffnett Eastern Region 989.400.3793

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