Soybean Pest Podcast

Latest Episodes:

2 late 2 sPRAY Aug 29, 2017

Show notes

Matt and Erin took a short podcasting break but are back to summarize late season soybean pest activity. Erin talks about a slight resurgence of soybean aphid populations in northern Iowa. Read more about treating at full seed set in a recent ICM Blog. Erin also recommends scouting in late August/early September for second-generation bean leaf beetles, as feeding injury to pods and seeds could be significant. Matt has noticed perhaps early field senescence in some commercial fields in Iowa. He also took a trip to Mississippi to see soybean production and learn more about pollinator protection. This podcast also features a F.I.T.!

Forgotten but not gone: midseason pest update Jul 24, 2017

Show notes

It seems like a long time since the last episode and that's because it was! Matt and Erin are back to talk about pest updates in Iowa. Drought stress throughout much of the state has been ideal for twospotted spider mite. Erin reports Some injury has been observed in corn and soybean this summer. Treatments are going on now throughout some southern Iowa counties. In addition, soybean aphid continues to be an erratic pest. Some populations are building up in northern Iowa counties, but most fields are not reaching the economic threshold in July. Matt elaborates about high numbers of Japanese beetle and they talk about the use of pheromone traps as a management tool. Finally, Matt talks about a new Science research paper that has inconsistent data on the effect of neonicotinoid seed treatments on wild and managed bees in Europe.

Field crop pest updates Jun 28, 2017

Show notes

Today, Erin is without her podcasting bestie, Matt. She summarizes the activity of a few field crop pests in Iowa. First, she mentions Japanese beetle is active in soybean now and will move to corn with the emergence of silks. There are also European corn borer egg masses and small larvae in non-Bt corn now. You can access a free publication to learn more about scouting and management of ECB. Erin also gives an update on thistle caterpillar and soybean aphid from the last episode - both pests are still active right now. Finally, she highlights potato leafhopper as an occasional pest of soybean and alfalfa. You can register for some upcoming demonstration events at FEEL for July 12 (Diagnostic Clinic) and July 13 (Management Clinic) right here.

Is this 2007 all over again? Jun 20, 2017

Show notes

In this mid-June episode, Matt and Erin start off by summarizing current soybean aphid activity around the state of Iowa. Populations are showing up over much of northern Iowa the last two weeks. Some fields have approached infestations ranging from 10-50%, although the density per plant remains low. Under ideal conditions, these populations could exceed the economic threshold in a few weeks. Brian Lang also found an aphid mummy, which is also early compared to most summers. Erin talked about a new publication for European corn borer that is available at the ISU Extension Bookstore. The 12-page pub reviews identification, life cycle, plant damage, scouting and treatment recommendations for this devastating pest. In their new segment, Matt talks semantics about how to spell one of the most widely recognized insects in the world.

Finding more aphids, being malaise, and getting F.I.T. Jun 14, 2017

Show notes

In this episode, Matt and Erin start off with talking about the hot weather in Ames. A local rain shower will help lawns and crops. Erin shared some updates on soybean aphid in Iowa. A few more reports are showing up from the lab as they visit various research farms. The percent infested plants is higher than in the past few years, so scouting in highly encouraged this summer. Both have noted aphids around the yard and on campus this month, too. Matt wants to try out a new segment called F.I.T. (fun insect trivia). He asked me about how the malaise trap was named and Erin was kinda right. Erin also had a F.I.T. about determining the sex of Japanese beetle. It wasn't nearly as interesting as Matt's story and maybe not even that important to know. Erin also noted Japanese beetles are emerging in southern Iowa and corn rootworm egg hatch is peaking around Iowa this week. If you live in north-central Iowa, plan to attend a field day at the ISU Northern Farm near Kanawha.

Don't freak out (about a few aphids) Jun 09, 2017

Show notes

Today, Matt and Erin cover a lot of topics. First, Erin summarizes her recent trip to Indianapolis for the 2017 North Central Branch ESA meeting. Lots of interesting papers and posters were presented this week. Also, the first confirmation of soybean aphid in Iowa happened again this week. It is typical to find aphids during early June in vegetative soybean, so listeners shouldn't be too concerned at this time. Other pest activity updates include more black cutworm and armyworm, plus a few bean leaf beetles and slugs. Matt follows up on the slug conversation by highlighting a recent interview with Penn State entomologist, John Tooker. As a follow up to the IRAC discussion a few episodes ago, Erin reminds everyone that the organization puts out a few helpful references on insecticide modes of action and resistance management. Two events of interest coming up:Pollinator Fest at Reiman Gardens is on June 24. It's free this year, so bring your family for some fun hands-on activities centered around pollinators. Matt and Erin are organizing a field day with Greg Tylka on August 17. The event is at FEEL near Boone, IA and registration is open now.

When (cut and army) worms attack! Jun 02, 2017

Show notes

Matt and Erin took May off from podcasting, but had a lot to talk about in the third episode of season 8. The cool, wet spring resulted in delayed planting for some; however, many of their research plots went in the ground this week. There have been a number of black cutworm and true armyworm reports throughout Iowa the last two weeks. Treatment decisions are based on plant growth stage, pest density and injury. Read more about their biology and management in ICM News articles:Armyworms in southeastern Iowa Black cutworm monitoring for 2017 Scouting for pests in cover cropsErin also reported common stalk borer is moving to corn and soybean, particularly in the southern counties. Fields with stalk borer injury should scout now. Also, some fields are experiencing slugs - injury is most noticeable in fields with high residue. Finally, Matt and Erin got a USDA Challenge Grant and are looking for an extension program specialist that can work with farmers, beekeepers and conservationists.

Cool, wet soils in Iowa Apr 27, 2017

Show notes

In Episode 2, Matt and Erin cover a range of topics. First, they summarize planting conditions for 2017 - most places in the state are too wet and and cold to plant. The weather also affects insect activity as well. Matt expands on a recent ICM News article by Erin regarding "green bridges." Both had students graduating this semester - congrats to Eric Clifton and Shelby Pritchard on all your hard work and efforts during your time at Iowa State! Finally, Matt updates us on the recent legislative activity to close the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

Season 8: a new beginning Apr 07, 2017

Show notes

It's a new beginning for the podcast - Season 8 starts today! Matt and Erin have a bit of random conversation at the beginning like usual. But they eventually provide a summary of the recent new of an organophosphate, chlorpyrifos. The EPA has been dealing with a petition to revoke tolerances for this widely-used insecticide. The EPA will not move forward with restricting chlorpyrifos in any crop; this could be important as farmers make product choices for 2017. Erin wrote a recent ICM Blog about it. Matt shared updates about his recent travels to the S1055 Soybean Entomology Working Group meeting in Memphis where he compares soybean production in the North Central Region to the South. Surprise - it's a lot different! Erin wraps up by providing overwintering mortality predictions for bean leaf beetle. The 2016-2017 winter was moderate and about half of the beetles are expected to survive.

The end (of season 7) Feb 28, 2017

Show notes

In the last episode of season 7, Matt and Erin talk about two new insecticide options for soybean aphid in Iowa. Movento and Sivanto by Bayer CropSciences are products that target fluid-feeding pests, like aphids, and are considered reduced-risk options compared to broad spectrum insecticides. Movento is a Group 23 and Sivanto is a Group 4D. To learn more about these insecticide groups, visit the IRAC website.

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