Soybean aphid has been more prevalent this year than normal, especially in eastern North Carolina. This is one of the main pests in the Midwest and is typically only a problem here when we encounter cool and cloudy weather like we've had in August.

Soybean aphids are piercing sucking pests that rob sugars from the plant veins. Plants are most sensitive to feeding during R1-R3, but yield loss can occur until R6 (similar to defoliating pests and stink bugs). Be sure to check any late planted fields following either the whole plant count or speed scouting method. The threshold is 250 aphids per plant.

Pyrethroids generally do a good job controlling soybean aphid in North Carolina. However, soybean looper moth counts are ticking up in the east, like they normally do this time of the year. Pyrethroids can flare soybean loopers and spraying this right now could be a recipe for a soybean looper disaster. Only choose a pyrethroid if you need to take out other insects that require a broad spectrum insecticide (for example, bean leaf beetle or stink bug). Finally, there is well-documented pyrethroid resistance in the Midwest.

Another option would be to apply a more selective insecticide to preserve beneficial insects. Transform, Sefina, and Sivanto are examples that are not likely to flare soybean looper.