By Blake Jackson
The agricultural landscape in Missouri is facing a mounting challenge due to the escalation of Japanese beetle populations in both corn and soybean fields.
This was reported by Ivair Valmorbida, the state entomologist from the University of Missouri Extension, who has been closely monitoring the situation via the MU Extension’s Pest Monitoring Network
With the highest infestations reported in northwest Missouri’s Gentry County, and growing numbers in northeastern Missouri, the mobility of these pests calls for diligent scouting and monitoring.
These beetles primarily target the upper canopy of soybeans, causing severe defoliation, which significantly hampers the plants' ability to thrive.
For soybeans, the protocol for insecticide application is dictated by the plant's growth stage and the severity of defoliation, with specified thresholds set for various developmental phases to guide farmers on when to intervene.
Corn crops are not spared, as the beetles focus on clipping the silks essential for pollination. Effective management in corn involves foliar insecticide application when specific conditions—such as beetle density and the extent of silk clipping—are met, ensuring pollination processes are not severely disrupted.
To aid Missouri farmers and agricultural professionals in staying ahead of these threats, the MU Extension offers an online pest monitoring platform complete with an alert system, allowing users to receive timely updates on pest activity.
This resource is critical in deploying proactive measures to safeguard Missouri’s vital agricultural sectors from the adverse effects of Japanese beetles and other pests.
Photo Credit: university-of-missouri
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Corn, Soybeans