FUNDED BY THE ILLINOIS SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION CHECKOFF PROGRAM.

Kelly Estes

What’s Bugging Your Soybeans?

As the growing season gets underway, there are several insect pests that could be bugging your soybeans. While there is definitely a mixed bag of defoliators and pod feeders as you scout throughout the season, here are a few you might come across. Bean Leaf Beetles. Adults overwinter near bean fields in woodlots or along fence rows. They become active in the spring when temperatures rise above 50⁰ and can be found feeding on soybean foliage soon after emergence. Adults lay eggs in the soil and larvae will feed on root systems for a few weeks before pupating. Two [...]

By |June 23, 2020|

A New Emerging Soybean Pest? Introducing the Dectes Stem Borer

This article was written in collaboration with Nick Seiter, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois. There’s a new(er) soybean pest in town that’s receiving some attention from southern Illinois soybean growers. Feeding caused by the Dectes stem borer contributed to stalk breakage and lodging found in area soybean fields around harvest. Image 1: Dectes stem borer on a corn leaf. Grayish-blue in color, the Dectes stem borer is a small, longhorned beetle, approximately ½” in length with antennae that are usually as long, or longer than the length of the beetle (Image 1). Adults are present late [...]

By |January 27, 2020|

Impressive Moth Flights across Midwest

Article originally posted on the Bulletin. Impressive moth flights have not only kept the Illinois insect monitoring network cooperators busy, but neighboring states are reporting lots of black cutworm and true armyworm moth activity as well. The current forecast and planting progress has raised questions about the potential for these pests in the coming weeks. With the assistance of University of Illinois Extension educators, producers and industry volunteers, nearly 60 trap sites have been established across Illinois. Captures of both black cutworm and true armyworm have been common across the state. Several counties have reported significant flights (nine or more moths caught [...]

By |May 26, 2017|
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