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Insects eat up soybeans and profits
Mississippi
can control insect infestations
It starts by determining when insects reach the economic threshold level. This is the point at which damaging insects must be treated before your operation starts to lose money. Our Insect Scouting Guide contains thresholds recommended by Mississippi State University. Sign up now to get your free guide.
Chewing Up
Your Bottom Line
Pod Feeders
The most dangerous of the bunch directly attack soybean yield by damaging developing pods and seeds.
Foliage Feeders
Present in almost all soybean fields. Most damage rarely meets economic threshold levels in soybeans before bloom or R1.
Stem Feeders
Regularly occur in soybeans. Rarely cause economic damage, with some exceptions.
Corn Earworm
Feed first on foliage, later on blooms and pods. Attracted to wide row soybeans with open canopy
Stink Bug Complex
Attracted to fields with developing pods. Suck juices from immature seeds leading to aborted seeds and pod drop.
Armyworm Complex
Beet armyworms indicate presence by feeding on pigweed, Fall armyworms develop on grass before moving to soybeans.
Bean Leaf Beetle
Attracted to early-planted soybeans. Damage usually looks more serious than it is.
Green Cloverworm
Feed on leaves between veins, leaving irregular holes. Rarely an economic pest.
Soybean Looper
Heavy populations can strip entire fields of leaves, especially in mid- to late-season in MS.
Velvetbean Caterpillar
Ravenous feeders start at the top of a plant and feed downward for complete defoliation.
Kudzu Bug
Severe infestations suck down the vigor of the plant by removing moisture and plant nutrients.
Three-Cornered Alfalfa Hopper
Damage plants less than 12 in. tall by puncturing/feeding on stems near the soil.
Corn Earworm
Feed first on foliage, later on blooms and pods. Attracted to wide row soybeans with open canopy
Stink Bug Complex
Attracted to fields with developing pods. Suck juices from immature seeds leading to aborted seeds and pod drop.
Armyworm Complex
Beet armyworms indicate presence by feeding on pigweed, Fall armyworms develop on grass before moving to soybeans.
Bean Leaf Beetle
Attracted to early-planted soybeans. Damage usually looks more serious than it is.
Green Cloverworm
Feed on leaves between veins, leaving irregular holes. Rarely an economic pest.
Soybean Looper
Heavy populations can strip entire fields of leaves, especially in mid- to late-season in MS.
Velvetbean Caterpillar
Ravenous feeders start at the top of a plant and feed downward for complete defoliation.
Kudzu Bug
Severe infestations suck down the vigor of the plant by removing moisture and plant nutrients.
Three-Cornered Alfalfa Hopper
Damage plants less than 12 in. tall by puncturing/feeding on stems near the soil.
Photo Credits: Corn Earworm: Angus Catchot, Ph.D., Mississippi State University / Southern Green Stink Bug: Angus Catchot, Ph.D., Mississippi State University / Fall Armyworm: Alton N. Sparks Jr., University of Georgia, Bugwood.org / Bean Leaf Beetle: Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org / Green Cloverworm: Daren Mueller, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org / Soybean Looper: Angus Catchot, Ph.D., Mississippi State University / Velvetbean Caterpillar: Scott Stewart, Ph.D., University of Tennessee / Kudzu Bug: Dominic Reisig, North Carolina State University / Three Cornered Alfalfa Hopper: Angus Catchot, Ph.D., Mississippi State University
