–by Jeff Whitworth — Field Crops
The 1st adult Dectes stem borers (see pic 4) were observed in soybean fields on 21 June. These adults are usually 1st observed a week or two prior to the 4th of July and so this year is no exception. As the adults emerge, they usually aggregate on weeds around soybean field borders for a few days then disburse throughout the soybean fields where they deposit their eggs in petioles and stems over the next 6-8 weeks.
Picture 4: Adult Dectes stem borer
Pictures by Cody Wyckoff