Soybean stem borer
scouted Sept. 1, 2026
- Scientific Name
- Dectes texanus
- Background
- A soybean field in Union County was being scouted, and it was observed that 10% of the field was affected by dieback and stunting in patches. This field is a dry site. A sample was submitted to the PDIC for diagnosis.
- Conclusion
- There was one stem borer in the sample. 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