Soybean looper
scouted Sept. 9, 2025
- Scientific Name
- Chrysodeixis includens
- Background
- Soybeans in Currituck County at the R6.5 growth stage were being scouted, and in 100% of the field soybean looper levels were high with 40% defoliation.
- Conclusion
- Soybean looper was identified as the problem in the field by a specialist. This moth is a year-round resident of more southern areas but migrates into North Carolina each year. The moth is dark brown with a small silver-white figure eight spot on each forewing, while the larvae are green with whitish lines along the length of the body and have three pairs of fleshy prolegs. This caterpillar is a voracious feeder, and high-abundance populations can completely strip the foliage from fields. Soybeans in R3-R5 are sensitive to defoliation, but by R6 they're more tolerant, and by R7 they're safe from yield loss to defoliators. That's why, in this case, the specialist recommended that the grower not spray his beans, as the foliage doesn't need protection anymore
- Resources
