2020 Soybean Insect Losses in the United States

Authors

F. R. Musser, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
A. L. Catchot Jr., Mississippi State University
S. P. Conley, University of Wisconsin
J. A. Davis, Louisiana State University
C. DiFonzo, Michigan State University
S. H. Graham, Auburn University
J. K. Greene, Clemson University
R. L. Koch, University of Minnesota
D. Owens, University of Delaware
D. D. Reisig, North Carolina State University
P. Roberts, University of Georgia
T. Royer, Oklahoma State University
N. J. Seiter, University of Illinois
S. D. Stewart, University of Tennessee
S. Taylor, Virginia Tech
B. Thrash, University of Arkansas
K. Tilmon, Ohio State University
R. T. Villanueva, University of Kentucky
M. O. Way, Texas A&M University

Abstract

Estimated insect management costs and losses due to insects in soybean during the 2020 growing season were collected and compiled from 18 states to provide a record of insect pressure and management practices for the year. These annual estimates provide a historical record of pest pressure and insect management and have been compiled in some states since 2004. Participating states represented 48% of soybean acreage grown in the United States, with near 100% participation in southern states. Overall, the stink bug complex was the costliest insect pest in soybean followed by corn earworm. Total insect management costs were $15.80 per acre, with estimated crop losses to insects at $13.85 per acre, making the 2020 total costs plus losses $29.65 per acre. State estimates varied widely, with insect management costs in five states averaging less than $10/ac, while averaging more than $40/ac in two states. Similarly, the estimated yield losses from insects ranged from less than $10/ac in four states to more than $50/ac in two states.

Recommended Citation

Musser, F. R.; Catchot, A. L. Jr.; Conley, S. P.; Davis, J. A.; DiFonzo, C.; Graham, S. H.; Greene, J. K.; Koch, R. L.; Owens, D.; Reisig, D. D.; Roberts, P.; Royer, T.; Seiter, N. J.; Stewart, S. D.; Taylor, S.; Thrash, B.; Tilmon, K.; Villanueva, R. T.; and Way, M. O. (2021) "2020 Soybean Insect Losses in the United States," Midsouth Entomologist: Vol. 14: No. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/midsouthent/vol14/iss1/1