–Jeff Whitworth – Field Crops
Stinkbugs are still quite common this time of year and many are still nymphs (see pic. 1). Fortunately, most crops should be past the stage that might be susceptible to stinkbugs. Soybeans are probably the crop of most concern relative to stinkbugs. However, they seem to be very general feeders–sucking juice out of just about any juicy, succulent plant. Their relatively long, but somewhat fragile, mouthparts are used to pierce into plants to suck the fluid that they feed on. This is usually while the plants are actively growing and thus the epidermis is relatively tender or the mouthparts can’t penetrate. Thus, stinkbugs should not be a problem now relative to soybean yield, unless the soybeans are still in the early reproductive stages.
Picture 1: Stink Bug Nymph (pic by Cayden Wyckoff)