Soybean stem borer

scouted Sept. 16, 2021

Scientific Name
Dectes texanus
Background
Soybeans in Wake county, variety AG59X9, were scouted and observed 95% of the field was affected by yellowing, leaf spots, wilting and decay. This is a widespread issue.
Conclusion
The issue was identified after the sample was analysed, and what was found was that the stem showed signs of Dectes stem borer, also known as soybean stem borer. Soybean stem borers have one generation a year and are active from May through early October. It usually causes indirect yield loss due to lodging or an interaction with other negative environmental conditions, such as drought. These insects are usually more abundant in field edges near weeds or fields adjacent to last year's soybeans. There is no economic threshold for it, but good cultural practices and timely harvest can limit its impacts.
Resources
  • No resources have been added.

Looking for more?

Find information on current and past problems in our library.

Browse all problems