Incredible as it may seem, the defoliation percentages, in these late R5 soybeans, didn’t justify a rescue treatment alone…BUT there’s more to the story. As this photo reveals, the bean leaf beetles are beginning to feed on the pods (see accompanying article). Now we consider the bean leaf beetle biology (will feed until frost), the incredible numbers in this field, and their feeding switch from foliage to pods in the very near future. This soybean field needs protection!!! (Photo Credit: John Obermeyer)