Soybean Pest Podcast

“Hanging around, nothing to do but frown, Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.” Karen Carpenter sang about this deadly combination and it’s effect on her emotions. Now, Matt and Erin pile on with a list of insect pests that are active in the state of Iowa. Thankfully, it is not all bad news as we review the biology and pest status of spider mites, soybean aphids and a mix of caterpillar species. We discuss how the weather can help determine if a spider mite outbreak is likely and some tips for dealing with one if it occurs. Matt reveals an upcoming gig in which he will speak at a “Conservation Biological Control Short Course” hosted by the Xerces Society for invertebrate conservation. This all-day event is on 21 August at the ISU Field Extension Education Lab. To learn more visit the website: http://conta.cc/1g9yZqI. Email us your questions at oneal@iastate.edu and ewh@iastate.edu.

Today, Matt and Erin discuss recent soybean pest activity. Of special note, soybean aphids can be more easily found in northern Iowa and scouting fields is highly recommended. Also, green cloverworm is making a special appearance in a few fields. Matt wraps up the podcast by sharing a research update that involves collecting pollen from honey bees to see where they are feeding. 

Today, Matt and Erin talk about an old pest that is new again. European corn borer is making a comeback in some non Bt-corn. Identification and management are important for timely foliar insecticide applications. Also, Erin saw a small plot with increasing soybean aphid populations - it was also noted in other research plots compared to last week. Lastly, they talk about the potential usefulness of UAVs for making management decisions in field crops. The link Matt mentioned: http://n.pr/1GjpPBx/.

Today, Matt is back from vacation and talks with Erin about the latest insect activity in Iowa. Soybean aphids can be found in northern Iowa, but at very low numbers. Japanese beetles are feeding in corn and soybean in central counties, and a mixture of caterpillars are feeding in soybean. 

Matt is on vacation, but the show must go on! Erin talks about recent soybean pest activity in Iowa, including the beginning of soybean aphid sightings in northern counties. Also, some are seeing green cloverworm starting to defoliate plants. Both are at sub-economic levels but continue to scout to make timely treatment decisions in 2015. 

“Apres moi, le deluge” is legendary quote from King Louis XV of France. Allegedly he said this with regard to what would happen to France after his death; After me, the flood. 15 years after a reign that saw the loss of wars, territory etc., the French Revolution broke out.   Today on the soybean aphid podcast, we turn this title around (after the rains, us) to discuss the consequences of the June rains that have dropped as much as 6 inches in a 72 hour period. Unlike the terrible decisions of King Louis, these rains can have a benefit to farms by limiting the impact of some pests, especially those in the soil. However, the rains have made it difficult to get into fields for herbicide applications.   We discuss the rain, its impact on pests, and the upcoming Pollinator Festival at Rieman Gardens in Ames this Saturday June, 20. Also, help us come up with a new name for out podcast. Send your suggestions to Matt at oneal at iastate.edu and/or Erin at ewh at iastate.edu.  

Today, Matt and Erin recap current soybean planting progress in Iowa. They also talk about recent armyworm activity in soybean and  considerations for management. Finally, the podcast wraps up with a quick summary of a symposium organized for neonicotinoid seed treatments in field crops from last week. 

This record-breaking podcast is the second of the day for Erin and Matt. We interview Dr. Jen White from the University of Kentucky to better understand how endosymbionts interact and influence insects, and ultimately how it can help with pest management. 

In this episode, Matt and Erin podcast from Manhattan, KS to share highlights from the NCB-ESA meeting. We talk with Alice Vossbrinck, OSU graduate student, about her lady beetle study in the agricultural landscape. To learn more about research in the Gardiner lab, go here: http://ale.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/. Find out more about the Buckeye Lady Beetle Blitz here: http://bit.ly/1RHI72I.

Today, Matt and Erin invite grad student, Mike Dunbar, to share his recent experience of true armyworm in a cornfield with a rye cover crop. Read more about true armyworms here: http://bit.ly/1QawkYf. Also, we have a brief discussion on slug management. Read more about slugs here: http://bit.ly/1HcZTUi.

Today, Matt and Erin talk about potential soybean seedling pests, including bean leaf beetle, slugs and black cutworm. They also shared some details about Pollinator Fest, a special event to promote pollinators on June 20. Find out more here: http://www.reimangardens.com/event/pollinator-fest/.

Matt and Erin kick off the 2015 growing season with a summary of soybean planting progress in Iowa and predictions for soybean aphids this year. Also, they talk about recent publications on soybean seed treatments. 

On a special episode of the podcast, we are visited by Dr. Donald Lewis who asks; "Will the soybean aphid outbreak bring more lady beetles". This hard-hitting question is answered, to the best of their ability by Matt and Erin.  The lady beetle in question, is the multi-colored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis. This is a beneficial insect in soybean fields but a pest in our homes. 

Yes, Phil, they are spraying for aphids in Iowa. Erin and I discuss where in Iowa soybean aphid outbreaks are occurring and the factors that help explain some of the variation in aphid populations between fields. The occurrence of two other pests are noted. Finally, Matt was interviewed on Agribusiness Reports about his lab's work on efforts to conserve bees. For more info see: (Skip to 1:49): http://whotv.com/2013/08/27/agribusiness-hot-weather-threatens-promising-hog-market/ (Skip to 0:35): http://whotv.com/2013/08/28/agribusiness-researcher-says-bee-habitats-have-multiple-benefits-for-growers/ 

We are getting close to the end of the season and soybean aphids have exceeded the threshold level in northern Iowa. Erin has come back from spraying research plots to share with us updates on timing, product choice and assessing the need for an insecticide during this aphid outbreak. Also, Matt is going to be interviewed by WHO-TV this Friday. Look for a segment either Friday nite or during the weekend (23-25 Aug) about conserving bees.And finally, this episode is dedicated to Robert Pettis, our #1 fan. 

Matt and Erin summarize the trend in soybean aphid populations for the midwest. They discuss other pest, include the corn rootworm and the reports of cornfields damaged by this pest. For more info on why this may happen in Bt-corn fields see http://bit.ly/16plxWm. Also, for more info about how rotating crops is good for more than just managing rootworms, visit http://www.sustainablecorn.org/

Erin and Matt discuss the recent cool temperatures forecasted for the last week of July and the implications for soybean aphid populations in Iowa. We also discuss the recent emergence of bean leaf beetles and observations about the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.  For more info about the BMSB, visit http://apps.csi.iastate.edu/pipe/?c=entry&a=view&id=20

It's hot! But we can still talk about aphids and other insect pests. It is a quiet week for soybean pests, but things are getting active in corn. We talk about what to look for when it comes to silk feeders. For more details about rootworms, a silk feeder and rootfeeder, look up Erin's recent factsheet. https://www.ent.iastate.edu/dept/faculty/hodgson/files/ul/CRW%20management%202012%20final.pdf. At the end, Matt talks about a recent blog that summarizes his work on bees in soybean fields, http://www.agriculture.com/farm-management/conservation/bees-in-bes-qa-with-matt-oneal_556-ar32490.

Erin Hodgson and Matt O'Neal return to talk about insect pests of soybean in Iowa and the greater midwest. On today's episode, the return of the soybean aphid, the japanese beetles and a variety of uncommon insects that feed on soybean plants and other crops (stink bugs, celery leaf tier, and colapspis beetles).

This week, Erin Hodgson talks about confirming soybean aphid in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin.