Database Research Summaries2018 Research & Management of SB Insects
Research Focus
The focus of this project is to find cost-effective and sustainable solutions to fight pathogens, pests, and diverse environmental stresses.
Objectives
- Monitor the statewide distribution of key soybean insects.
- Research biology and scouting methods for pollinators and stink bugs.
- Develop a stinkbug quick-scout card for in-field use.
- Identify and compare genetics of aphids on new aphid resistant varieties.
Results
- Kudzu bug monitoring earlier in the year featured traps deployed in nine counties in southern Ohio (Adams, Athens, Butler, Clermont, Madison, Meigs, Montgomery, Ross and Washington). No kudzu bugs were found.
- Stinkbug monitoring was conducted from July through August. Higher than average stink bug populations and subsequent seed damage were found in several parts of the state.
- We conducted a 2018 experiment involving sticky cards with stinkbug pheromone baits, from August through mid-September. We are still analyzing data from this study to look at the spatial patterns of trap location, and to compare trap catches with sweep net data to determine how these traps could best be used in monitoring programs. The traps caught stink bugs in large numbers, suggesting this will be a promising monitoring tool.
- Data is still being analyzed, but in general the highest bee activity was noted from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
- Quick-scout and quick-ID cards were printed. They will be distributed to county extension educators and to farmers during the winter extension season. They are also available free online.
- We found a small number of aphids and nymphs on these resistant plants in a field on the Wooster Campus. Although the numbers of aphids were exceedingly low (no more than 10 per plant), we were able to collect about 20 leaves from different plants with a small number of aphids. These were brought into the laboratory and placed in Petri dishes on detached aphid-susceptible leaves to increase aphid colony size.
- We have placed cohorts of these aphid colonies on Rag1/Rag2/Rag3 plants to measure their level of production. So far, few have been able to establish substantial colonies. However, we have 3 aphids’ lines that are able to survive at least 7 days on Rag1/Rag2/Rag3.
Importance
- These objectives will provide soybean producers with information to help them protect yield, increase profitability, and practice environmental stewardship.
- Monitoring for stinkbug species and where they are most abundant will help us tailor our education and outreach on how to manage this pest.
- The second objective will help producer’s time insecticide to protect bees, and may provide a future new scouting tool for stinkbugs.
For more information about this research project, please visit the National Soybean Checkoff Research Database.
Funded in part by the soybean checkoff.
