Longer rotation schemes require less herbicide and reduce frequency of sudden death syndrome in soybean. Crop rotation can alter the soil environment, affecting plant physiology, and may impact insects, like soybean aphid. Read more about Effect of crop rotation on the soybean aphid
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
Host plant resistance for soybean aphid is a management tool to protect yield. Our lab has evaluated the efficacy and of host plant resistance but generally with small plot research. Working with Iowan farmers, we evaluated the efficacy of aphid-resistant soybean on commercial farms in Iowa. With funding from the North Central Region – Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, we are studying the potential for aphid-resistant soybeans on a larger scale. We provided farmers with experimental and commercially available soybean varieties containing a 2-gene pyramid (Rag1+2). Read more about On-farm evaluation of aphid-resistant soybeans
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
It's been a few weeks, but Matt and Erin have a new episode out today! Erin starts off by providing a statewide update on soybean pest populations in August. Good news is that most fields had low pest pressure in 2018. Matt shares his impressions of a recent court ruling that will ban chlorpyrifos use in the U.S. The episode title is a play off of Warren Zevon's song, "Lawyers, Guns and Money" from 1978.
This Soybean Pest Podcast episode is packed with good stuff! Matt starts off by sharing some positive data from USDA-NASS from Iowa. A recent report showed 45,000 honey bee colonies in Iowa, a 275% increase from 2017. Also, the number of in-season losses is down from last year. Erin talks about a new soybean pest that is showing up in western Iowa. The soybean gall midge can be a devastating stem-boring pest. She summarizes her observations in a recent ICM News article. Erin also notes aphid activity in increasing throughout northern Iowa - in corn and soybean. It's a good time to scout fields to check for aphids. Also, there is a newly-revised field guide for soybean aphid. Find the pdf and hardcopy versions at the Extension Store. Lastly, PFI is hosting a field day on September 6 near Marble Rock. Erin will share some information about host plant resistance for soybean aphid. Click here for more details.
This might be one of the best episodes yet, because Matt and Erin combine aphids with rock and roll. But first Erin gives a state update on pest activity that includes armyworms, leafhoppers, rootworm and bean leaf beetle. There haven't been any reports of soybean aphid in 2018 but immigration is expected soon. Matt is a friend of the FC Bugeaters and shares recent game activity from the midwest. The F.I.T. focused on an insect-themed game show tune and then they transition to a recently published article that hypothesizes AC/DC is noise pollution for insects.
Matt and Erin just got back from the Annual Entomological Society of America meeting in Denver and their brains are full! They summarize some of their favorite presentations and other highlights from the meeting. Specifically, Matt enjoyed a presentation by Cornell student Maxwell Helmberger who used entomopathogenic nematodes to manage grubs in turf. Maxwell has a YouTube channel with some fun animations!
Today, Matt and Erin cover a wide range of topics. First, there are two entomologists interviewing for ISU president: Sonny Ramaswamy and Wendy Wintersteen. But the conversation is quickly diverted into talking about why entomologists make good leaders. Matt has another F.I.T. that includes a reference to Hogwarts. Tom Saunders named a new parasitoid wasp species after Lucius Malfoy, a character in the Harry Potter series. The new wasp was named Lusius malfoyi. Erin asks Matt about fall nuisance invaders around Ames, including multicolored Asian lady beetles, minute pirate bugs, and brown lacewings. Erin gives a shout-out to an insect-related podcast, Arthropod, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This interesting series goes in-depth on insects and closely related species (e.g., painted lady butterflies and brown recluse spiders). Lastly, they are spreading the word about a fundraiser for BugGuide - help them meet their goal of $15,000!
Matt and Erin talk briefly about resurging soybean aphid populations around northern Iowa. In some fields, aphid numbers have increased as fields reach full seed set. They also talk about 2 videos of potential interest to everyone. The first video shows off the extremely high numbers of mosquitoes in Texas due to Hurricane Harvey. The second video talks about the importance of Bt resistance management of insects. Finally, Matt shares a F.I.T. and art at Iowa State University.
