–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth and Dr. Holly Davis
Soybean fields around north central Kansas still seem to be relatively unbothered by defoliators. Bean leaf beetle adults are increasing in numbers and may begin feeding on the succulent pods as they form.
The next generation of corn earworms (coming from sorghum fields) may start feeding on the beans within the pods, although we did not find any pod feeding yet. The only defoliators sampled this past week were a few green cloverworms, thistle caterpillars, and yellowstriped armyworms. None were in sufficient numbers to cause concern, individually or collectively.
For more information relative to soybean insect management, please see the 2018 Soybean Insect Management Guide: https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/mf743.pdf