Stu Ellis interviews ISA Outreach Agronomist & CCA, Stephanie Porter, about a late season pest damaging many soybean fields – bean leaf beetle. This pest has two generations and can be devastating to not only foliage, but pods late in the season. It can be several colors, but identified by the “triangle” on its wing covers. Don’t confuse it with other beetles such as corn rootworm beetle.
For scouting, go to five places in the field and look at 10 plants. Count the number of green pods that have injury. Treat if 10-15% of pods are affected and if bean leaf beetle adults are present.
Be aware of insecticide pre-harvest interval (14 to 60 days). Once pods are completely dry, no control is needed.
About the Author: Stephanie Porter
As Outreach Agronomist for the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), Stephanie supports research efforts and helps communicate both in-field and edge-of-field research and validation studies to Illinois 43,000 soybean farmers. She also helps lead the demonstration and adoption of conservation agriculture practices and raises awareness of best management and continuous improvement practices for conservation agriculture in Illinois.
Stephanie has 23 years of experience that consists of agronomy, conservation, horticulture, plant diagnostics, and education. She has her bachelor’s in crop science and master’s in plant pathology from the University of Illinois. Stephanie is a Certified Crop Advisor and was named the 2018 Illinois Certified Crop Adviser Master Soybean Advisor. She also has experience with corn and soybean pathology research, crop scouting, soil testing, as well as crop consulting. Previously, she utilized her diagnostic training and collaborated with University of Illinois departmental Extension Specialists to diagnose plant health problems and prepare written responses describing the diagnosis and management recommendations as the University of Illinois Plant Clinic.
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