If you sprayed beans for a Japanese beetle problem, beware of a potential increase in the soybean aphid population says IL Extension Entomologist Kevin Steffey. He says the aphids may have migrated into the field, or populations surged after predators may have been eliminated. Steffey says the declining value of soybeans may not allow respraying.

Soybean aphids have been on an alternating year cycle, with populations high in odd-numbered years. Paralleling that trend has been the populations of multi-colored lady beetles, which prey upon the aphids when food is plentiful. Steffey says the cycle may have been broken by relatively widespread insecticide applications.

Entomologists at Ohio State are putting their foot down about practices by some farmers adding insecticides to their spray tank when applying either fungicides or herbicides. The OSU Extension specialists emphasize they do not recommend that practice unless there is a real need. They express great concerns about the welfare of bees with such a practice and their newsletter cites Ohio laws prohibiting the practice.

1) Wind drift is a major issue, particularly along filter strips with blooming wild flowers.
2) Time of application is also an issue, with bees most active at mid-day.

Bug Bugle Headlines:a wrap up of news from the world of crop pests
1) Bean leaf beetles are emerging 10-14 days late; spray threshold is 20% defoliation.
2) Southwestern corn borer populations are high, jeopardizing non-Bt hybrids.
3) Two-spotted spider mites are prevalent in soybean fields in dry regions.
4) Western bean cutworm numbers are high; scout for egg masses and larvae.