July is when we start to see a variety of soybean defoliators in soybean fields. While we haven’t had any reports of significant soybean defoliation to date, researchers say someone will begin to see some soon. So, let’s review our soybean insect defoliation recommendations.

Many insects defoliate soybeans. In fact, in most cases a complex of soybean defoliators are reported as doing the damage. The most common single pest reported is generally first generation bean leaf beetle, but there are also numerous grasshoppers and a variety of caterpillars that eat soybean leaves. In some states it’s common for several defoliators to be present at the same time.

Because we often find several species of defoliators in most fields, we do not typically use insect counts to determine whether to treat. We use percent defoliation.

Figure 1. Starting in July growers are apt to start finding soybean defoliation from a number of insects.

Insect Defoliation of Soybean

Soybean plants can tolerate significant defoliation. In fact, when holes are chewed in the top of the canopy, light gets deeper in the canopy and the inner leaves can increase their photosynthetic rate.

Even with defoliation, if the remaining leaves are still intercepting at least 90 percent of the incident light, soybean can compensate for loss of leaf tissue.

Canopy size is important when making treatment decisions. Small soybean canopies cannot tolerate as much defoliation as large canopies.

Another consideration is when defoliation occurs. Unless severe, defoliation during vegetative stages usually doesn't cause significant yield loss. The reproductive stages are more sensitive. Because Nebraska soybeans are entering the reproductive stages, it is important to start checking fields now.

Growing conditions are a final factor. When environmental conditions are favorable for soybean development (e.g. adequate water), plants have a greater capacity for regrowth and compensation.

Making a Management Decision

For soybeans still in vegetative stages (pre-flowering), consider treatment if insects are present, feeding, and defoliation will exceed 30 percent. When soybeans are in the reproductive stages, consider treatment if insect defoliators are present and defoliation is expected to exceed 20 percent. These percentages can vary 5 percent or more according to the stage or type of insect(s) present, environmental conditions, the specific stage of the soybean, and the size and condition of the canopy. Experience will have to be your guide when making a final decision.

Defoliation is difficult to estimate. It is almost always overestimated. This is because the injury is so dramatic and all parts of the canopy often are not considered when making defoliation estimates. Some insect species primarily feed in the upper part of the canopy (e.g. bean leaf beetle), and some feed lower in the canopy (e.g., looper caterpillars). Different portions of the canopy will suffer different levels of injury. Therefore, when estimating defoliation the entire canopy, not just the injured portion, must be considered.

In order to predict if defoliation will exceed 30 percent (vegetative soybean) 20 percent (reproductive soybean), the current injury must be estimated. The following steps are suggested:

Figure 2. Levels of soybean defoliation. Injury is often over-estimated.

If defoliation approaches 30 percent in vegetative stage soybean, or 20 percent in reproductive stage soybean, treatment may be warranted if the insects are actively feeding and defoliation is expected to increase.

If treatment is warranted, identify the primary defoliating insect(s) and use the insecticide guides on the Soybean Insect Pests page in CropWatch. Most of our commonly used foliar insecticides are effective against most soybean defoliators.

Originally posted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.