2021 Soybean Insect Losses in the United States

Authors

Fred R. Musser, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
Angus L. Catchot Jr., Mississippi State University
Jeffrey A. Davis, Louisiana State University
Christina DiFonzo, Michigan State University
Scott H. Graham, Auburn University
Jeremy K. Greene, Clemson University
Bryan Jensen, University of Wisconsin
David L. Kerns, University of Georgia
Robert L. Koch, University of Minnesota
David Owens, University of Delaware
Dominic D. Reisig, North Carolina State University
Phillip M. Roberts, University of Georgia
Tom A. Royer, Oklahoma State University
Nicholas J. Seiter, University of Illinois
Scott D. Stewart, University of Tennessee
Sally V. Taylor, Virginia Tech
Benjamin C. Thrash, University of Arkansas
Kelley J. Tilmon, Ohio State University
Raul T. Villanueva, Ohio State University

Abstract

Estimated insect management costs and losses due to insects in soybean during the 2021 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 47% 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 $18.53 per acre, with estimated crop losses to insects at $17.83 per acre, making the 2021 total costs plus losses $36.37 per acre. State estimates varied widely, with insect management costs in three states averaging less than $10/ac, while averaging more than $40/ac in four states. Similarly, the estimated yield losses from insects ranged from less than $10/ac in four states to more than $40/ac in six states.

Recommended Citation

Musser, Fred R.; Catchot, Angus L. Jr.; Davis, Jeffrey A.; DiFonzo, Christina; Graham, Scott H.; Greene, Jeremy K.; Jensen, Bryan; Kerns, David L.; Koch, Robert L.; Owens, David; Reisig, Dominic D.; Roberts, Phillip M.; Royer, Tom A.; Seiter, Nicholas J.; Stewart, Scott D.; Taylor, Sally V.; Thrash, Benjamin C.; Tilmon, Kelley J.; and Villanueva, Raul T. (2022) "2021 Soybean Insect Losses in the United States," Midsouth Entomologist: Vol. 15: No. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/midsouthent/vol15/iss1/5