Soybean Defoliators
August 1, 2018
Defoliation injury is being reported in soybeans and often can look worse than it is. This illustrated guide to assessing injury can help you get reliable scouting numbers on which to base sound treatment decisions.
Scout Corn and Soybean for Japanese Beetles
June 25, 2018
Japanese beetles are emerging in eastern Nebraska and will continue to emerge for the next couple of weeks. As numbers will be highest in field margins, growers are advised to scout across the whole field before determining the need for treatment.
Large Populations of Painted Lady Butterflies
August 8, 2017
Reports of painted lady butterflys have been numerous in rural areas, including in soybeans, causing growers to ask if there's likely to be an increase in their soybean leaf-eating caterpillars. Entomologists discuss this question and the insect's life cycle, and offer a "how-to" on estimating leaf defoliation.
Check Soybean Fields for Evidence of Soybean Stem Borer
August 7, 2017
Dropped leaves in soybean fields indicate soybean stem borers are feeding and causing leaf damage. These insects are expanding their range as a pest of soybeans in Nebraska and now can be found in several counties north of I-80.
Spider Mite Reports Increasing
July 28, 2017
Spider mite populations are increasing in Nebraska. Fields should be scouted and the species correctly identified to provide proper management. Population levels should also be considered when treating fields with other insecticides that may knock out all natural predators, leading to population explosions of spider mites.
Estimating Soybean Leaf Defoliation
July 26, 2017
Growers are reporting finding painted lady caterpillars and silver spotted skipper caterpillars in soybeans. This guide can help estimate leaf defoliation in soybean, key to determining whether treatment is necessary.
Soybean Aphid Scouting and Management
July 15, 2020
The current economic threshold for soybean aphids is 250 aphids per plant with 80% of the plant infested and populations increasing. The article discusses the basis for this threshold and two scouting methods, including a speed scouting app, and management guidelines.
Although at Low Levels, Soybean Aphids Are in Northeast Nebraska
July 15, 2020
The infestations appear to have occurred recently, as the aphids were only observed on leaves that had not yet expanded completely. The economic threshold for late vegetative through R5 stage soybeans is 250 aphids per plant with 80% of the plants infested and populations increasing.