2012 Soybean Insect Losses in the Southern US

Authors

F. R. Musser, Mississippi State UniversityFollow
A. L. Catchot Jr., Mississippi State University
J. A. Davis, Louisiana State University
D. A. Herbert Jr., Virginia Tech
G. M. Lorenz, University of Arkansas
T. Reed, Alabama CES
D. D. Reisig, North Carolina State University
S. D. Stewart, The University of Tennessee

Abstract

Survey-based soybean insect losses were collected following the 2012 growing season to provide a record of insect pressure and soybean management practices for the year. This survey has been done annually in participating states for the last 2-9 years. The 2012 survey represents more than 10 million acres across the southern United States. Overall, the 2012 survey showed corn earworm to be the most costly insect pest in the region for the second consecutive year, costing growers more than $20/acre in direct costs and yield loss. Soybean looper and stink bug were the two other major pests during 2012. More than 60% of the acreage was scouted for a fee and more than 50% of the acreage was planted with an insecticide seed treatment. Estimated yield losses from insects were 5.6%, or $33.31/acre. An additional $25.77/acre was spent on insect monitoring and protection, resulting in total insect losses plus costs of $59.08/acre during 2012, similar to the losses plus costs estimates in 2010 and 2011.

Recommended Citation

Musser, F. R.; Catchot, A. L. Jr.; Davis, J. A.; Herbert, D. A. Jr.; Lorenz, G. M.; Reed, T.; Reisig, D. D.; and Stewart, S. D. (2013) "2012 Soybean Insect Losses in the Southern US," Midsouth Entomologist: Vol. 6: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/midsouthent/vol6/iss1/2