Soybean Insects

Soybean gall midge-injured field

Soybean Gall Midge Emergence at Several Sites in Nebraska

June 10, 2021
On June 8 and 9, several sites in east-central and northeast Nebraska recorded emergence of soybean gall midge adults. Growers should consider making field edge applications now.

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Wooly Bear
Photo credit; UNL Entomology

Woolly Bears in Late Maturing Soybean Fields

September 24, 2020
High numbers of woolly bear caterpillars are reported in some soybean fields in south central Nebraska. Pay particular attention to late maturing soybean fields. These act as a magnet for woolly bear caterpillars and many other insects.

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soybean gall midge adult

First Emergence of Soybean Gall Midge in Cass County, Nebraska

June 11, 2020
On June 10th, 2020 three soybean gall midge adults were collected south of Louisville, Nebraska. This was the only site in the network with soybean gall midge adult activity.

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soybean gall midge larva

2020 Soybean Gall Midge Alert Network

May 20, 2020
In 2019, an alert network was established to monitor soybean gall midge adult emergence using cages across 27 sites in four states. Growers and consultants can sign up to receive emergence information alerts to aid in the timing of insecticide applications.

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Process for sampling soybean leaves to assess defoliation

Management of Defoliating Insects in Nebraska Soybeans

January 16, 2020
Many defoliating insects may be found in Nebraska soybeans. Estimating defoliation levels in fields is the best way to decide whether it will pay to treat for these insects.

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Painted Lady caterpillar

It Pays To Scout: A Tale of Three Soybean Fields

July 29, 2019
These three on-farm examples show the importance of scouting individual soybean fields to assess damage, insect growth stage, and the potential need for treating thistle caterpillars.

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Painted lady butterfly
Figure 1. Painted lady butterly (Photo by Jim Kalisch)

Painted Lady Butterflies Are Abundant In Many Areas—What Now?

July 10, 2019
Treatment is not recommended for the painted lady butterfly currently being seen in high numbers and could endanger beneficial insects. Treatment thresholds offer guidance for treating feeding caterpillars.

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Soybean gall midge larvae inside a soybean stem
Soybean gall midge larvae inside a soybean stem

Soybean Gall Midge: Management Window Changing for Nebraska Growers

June 26, 2019
Soybean gall midge larvae found feeding within soybean plants in east central Nebraska mean foliar applications will likely no longer be effective. In northeast Nebraska, however, they may still be effective for a short time.

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