Green cloverworm is considered an occasional defoliating pest of soybean, typically later in the growing season.
John Obermeyer
Corn earworm moth numbers have been relatively low this season until recently, as numbers have exploded in pheromone traps.
For reasons that are unclear – but likely related to two seasons of increased monitoring and spraying – the western bean cutworm damage is far lower than the past two seasons.
Several caterpillars in the ear can be very similar in appearance and habits, so identification to species of some of the worms in ears can be tricky. Note that, in general, you cannot use overall body color or damage for identification.
In mid-June, we wrote in the Pest&Crop about the second surge of armyworm moths and suggested that dense, lush grasses (e.g., pasture) could be at risk.
As some areas of Indiana are dry getting drier, there is more concern about the possibility about spider mites being a culprit for yellowing foliage.
Populations of potato leafhopper continue to plague alfalfa fields throughout the state. Undoubtedly, the extended warm temperatures have contributed to this population explosion.
The western bean cutworm (WBC) trapping season continues, and after a slow start, moth flights have surged in many northern Indiana county traps this past week.
Most of our pheromone trappers got their report in during this Independence Day holiday, see “Western Bean Cutworm Pheromone Trap Report.”
Frustrations have been expressed about the numbers of Japanese beetles and their soybean defoliation this season. This compounds the weather woes that soybean has endured, i.e., too wet, too dry, too hot, yellowing from nutrient deficiencies, and the herbicides seemingly torching them.
Pest&Crop newsletter -
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