Current Projects

We are exploring how small patches of native, perennial vegetation (i.e., prairie) can increase the abundance and diversity of pollinators within corn and soybean. We observed honey bee colonies in Iowa lose weight beginning in August, when clover and soybean cease blooming. When colonies had access to a prairie from August to October, they were buffered from this late season decline. Read more about Using prairies to reduce interacting stressors on pollinator health

With funding from the North Central Soybean Research Program, we are determining if aphid-resistant soybeans can be use with a “refuge-in-a-bag” or RIB. Refuges of pest-susceptible varieties are often included when a pest-resistant variety of a crop is used. By including a refuge, we can produce a population of avirulent aphids so that they can inter-breed and swamp out the genes of virulent aphids that are capable of surviving on the aphid-resistant soybeans. Read more about Sustainable management of host plant resistance for soybean aphid

Soybean aphid management has relied heavily on foliar insecticides to protect yield since 2000. In 2016, performance issues have been documented in commercial fields and research plots in northern Iowa counties. With support from the Iowa Soybean Association, we are exploring insecticide resistance for soybean aphid in Iowa and describing the mechanism of resistance. Laboratory bioassays identified field-collected population’s evolved resistance to pyrethroids. Read more about Monitoring soybean aphid resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin and identification of mutation associated with insecticide resistance

Investigators: Dr. Matthew E. O’Neal and Joe Wheelock Read more about Comparing the species composition of beneficial insects across agricultural landscapes

The use of insecticides to control the soybean aphid has become a predominant management practice for growers. Before the confirmation of the soybean aphid in 2000, less than 0.1% of soybean was treated with insecticides. However, soybean aphid management has resulted in a 130-fold increase of insecticide applications in less than a decade. An estimated 1,400% increase of Iowa soybean acres were treated with a foliar insecticide in 2009 compared to 2000. Growers are also increasing the use of insecticidal seed treatments to control early-season establishment of insects on soybean. Read more about Insecticide Evaluations