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Articles by Nick Seiter
Soybean insect control - what to watch for as season winds down
Many of our most common insect pests in soybeans feed on leaf tissue. Bean leaf beetles and green cloverworm are native insects that feed on a variety of legumes and began attacking soybeans when we started planting the crop in the U.S. Japanese beetles are an invasive pest that includes soybeans among its several hundred different host plants. Soybean looper is a major pest in the southern U.S. and elsewhere in the Americas, but rarely reaches economically damaging levels in Illinois.
Agronomy Days at Illinois continue with research tours, field days, and more
"We’re off to a great start this summer,” said Nick Seiter, assistant professor and faculty Extension specialist in crop sciences. "Our small grains day in May was a great success, and we’re looking forward to a full calendar of events all the way into August.” On June 25, farmers can learn what works best to control weeds in corn and soybean fields, while getting an early look at some new herbicide products not yet released to the public.
Rootworm Beetle Emergence - 2024 Monitoring Program
Corn rootworm beetles will begin emerging throughout Illinois over the next couple of weeks (we noticed the first few western corn rootworm beetles of the year at our Urbana field site earlier this week). There are a number of things we can learn by keeping track of corn rootworm emergence, particularly in fields that have a history of rootworm problems: Control performance.
Illinois: Soybean Gall Midge - Learn to Identify This Potential Invader
Soybean gall midge larva. Photo: Iowa State University Farmers in several states to our west (particularly in eastern Nebraska) have been dealing with the soybean gall midge for several years. We have been fortunate to avoid this new soybean pest so far in Illinois (a current distribution map, scouting instructions, and additional information are available here). We want to stay on top of soybean gall midge if it does arrive here, and proper identification is critical to that effort.
Seiter: Risk factors for early-season pests in corn and soybeans
March 25, 2021 at 5:12 am CDT Nick Seiter By Nick Seiter While we have a variety of pests that can reduce stand or otherwise impact yields in Illinois, they are sporadic, and economic damage is relatively uncommon. That is no consolation if you are one of the unlucky few who has to replant part of a field due to slugs, wireworms, or another pest in a given year.
Illinois Soybeans: Wrapping Up Insect Management - Pod, Seed Feeding
Bean leaf beetle feeding “scars” pods, which can allow pathogens to enter as the pod matures. Photo: University of Illinois In terms of insect management, we are pretty close to the finish line for corn and soybean in Illinois. However, there has been a late-season onset of bean leaf beetles in soybean in some parts of the state. Pod and seed feeders are one of the last insect pest threats we face in soybean, so let’s review our management guidelines as we wrap the season up.
Illinois: Assessing Corn Rootworm Damage - Now is the Time
Corn rootworm damage. Photo: Erin Hodgson, Iowa State University Corn rootworm activity, in general, appears higher in much of Illinois than it has been for the last several years. Along with higher activity, resistance to Bt traits in western and northern corn rootworm remains our top insect management concern in Illinois corn.
Scout for spider mites in soybeans
Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series , Bugwood.org Spider mites often show up when it’s hot and dry outside. Nick Seiter, University of Illinois | Jul 13, 2020 Given current weather (and the promise of more heat to come), it’s a good time to review spider mite scouting and management recommendations in soybean crops.
Indiana Soybeans: Good Time to Scout for Spider Mites
Spider mite damage on soybean leaves. Spider mites often show up when it’s hot and dry outside. Given our current weather (and the promise of more heat to come), it’s a good time to review our scouting and management recommendations. Spider mites feed on a wide variety of plants, and usually enter soybean fields from grassy edges – especially right after the edges have been mowed, which causes the mites to seek out a new food source.
Illinois: Managing Corn Rootworm - Outlook for 2020
Corn rootworm remains the greatest insect pest threat to corn in Illinois, despite low populations in recent years compared with historical averages. Resistance to Bt traits and crop rotation throughout much of Illinois complicates the management decisions faced by corn growers. Corn rootworms overwinter as eggs in the soil that generally hatch in late May to early June, well after corn has been planted in most years (2019 notwithstanding).
Managing Corn Rootworm in Illinois: Outlook for 2020
Recommended citation format: Seiter, N., K. Estes and J. Spencer. "Managing Corn Rootworm in Illinois: Outlook for 2020." farmdoc daily (10):47, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, March 13, 2020. Permalink Corn rootworm remains the greatest insect pest threat to corn in Illinois, despite low populations in recent years compared with historical averages.
Illinois Soybeans: Insects - What To Scout For During Pod Fill
Adult green stink bug. Photo: University of Tennessee At this point in the season, most of our insect monitoring efforts are focused on soybean. There are several pests that can damage soybean during pod fill, and proper scouting is necessary to identify and, occasionally, control these insects. While not an exhaustive list, these are some of the insects and insect relatives to be on the lookout for as the growing season winds down. Stink bugs. Stink bug (Fig.
Scouting for Early Season Pests in Corn and Soybean After a Late Start
By Nick Seiter It goes without saying that this spring has been a challenge. With extreme planting delays throughout the state, crop development is well behind normal expectations, while insect pest populations have continued to progress. In addition, the tight schedule we have faced has forced planting into less than ideal conditions in terms of both soil moisture and weed control, which can have consequences for insect pest management.
Illinois Corn, Soybeans: Scouting for Early Season Pests After Late Start
It goes without saying that this spring has been a challenge. With extreme planting delays throughout the state, crop development is well behind normal expectations, while insect pest populations have continued to progress. In addition, the tight schedule we have faced has forced planting into less than ideal conditions in terms of both soil moisture and weed control, which can have consequences for insect pest management.
Illinois: Wheat Insects - What to Watch for This Spring
Bird cherry oat aphids on wheat leaf. Photo: Matt Montgomery, University of Illinois Consider adding some insect scouting to your wheat management routine this spring if you are not doing so already. While damaging insect pest infestations are pretty sporadic in Illinois, missing one can be costly. The first step in managing these infestations is knowing what to look for.
Illinois Corn, Soybeans: Grape Colaspis - A Pre-Season Primer
A grape colaspis adult peeking out of a soybean trifoliate. Photo: Nick Seiter, University of Illinois Grape colaspis is a common insect, but it only occasionally affects corn and soybean production in Illinois. However, 2018 was that rare year where “outbreak” levels of infestation occurred in parts of the state, resulting in stand reductions and, in some cases, replanting of damaged areas.
What effect will cold temperatures have on pests and pathogens?
Fluctuation between conditions of cold and warm may have a negative impact on some diseases. Feb 11, 2019 By Nathan Kleczewski and Nick Seiter, University of Illinois Extension Many in the Illinois agricultural community are wondering what effects the recent extreme cold might have on pests and pathogens.
Illinois Corn, Soybeans: How Will Cold Temps Affect Pests, Pathogens?
Many in the Illinois agricultural community are wondering what effects the recent extreme cold might have on pests and pathogens. While it would be nice if the cold temperatures we are experiencing could help to reduce our potential for pest damage, past experience tells us that the most serious pests we deal with are unlikely to be impacted much by these conditions.
Illinois: Corn Rootworms - Amid Bt Resistance, What Control Options Work?
Adult western corn rootworm. Producers across east-central Illinois have enjoyed low western corn rootworm pressure for several years, due to a combination of saturating rains during rootworm egg hatch and widespread use of Bt corn hybrids. Following a low point in the rootworm population in 2015, statewide monitoring of corn and soybean fields has documented a slow western corn rootworm population rebound in some areas.
Seed treatments and soil insecticides in real world situations for corn rootworm
Statewide monitoring of corn and soybean fields has documented a slow western corn rootworm population rebound in some areas. Jan 30, 2019 By Nick Seiter and Joe Spencer Producers across east-central Illinois have enjoyed low western corn rootworm pressure for several years, due to a combination of saturating rains during rootworm egg hatch and widespread use of Bt corn hybrids.
Despite local Bt resistance, growers still have options
By Joe Spencer and Nick Seiter Source: University of Illinois Extension The development of resistance to Bt Cry toxins by the western corn rootworm is a growing concern, highlighted by the recent confirmation of field-evolved resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 in Iowa (https://www.agriculture.com/crops/corn/why-managing-corn-rootworm-just-became-more-complicated). Across the Corn Belt there are western corn rootworm populations with resistance to multiple Bt Cry toxins expressed in Bt corn.
Illinois Bt Corn: Rootworm Resistance? You Still Have Options
The development of resistance to Bt Cry toxins by the western corn rootworm is a growing concern, highlighted by the recent confirmation of field-evolved resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 in Iowa. Across the Corn Belt there are western corn rootworm populations with resistance to multiple Bt Cry toxins expressed in Bt corn. In Illinois, Bt resistance can be found in western corn rootworms from both continuous and first-year cornfields; rotation-resistant populations are vulnerable to Bt resistance.
Dectes Stem Borer and Lodged Soybeans
By Nick Seiter Many soybean growers have had problems with lodging at harvest this year. The primary culprit for this (as for many of our woes this fall) was the extended period of unfavorable weather that we have suffered. However, in parts of southern Illinois damage by the dectes stem borer contributed to this problem. The adult dectes stem borer (Figure 1) is a “long-horned” beetle that can often be found in soybean and on other plants.
Managing Dectes Stem Borer and Lodged Soybeans
By Nick Seiter, Extension research professor Many soybean growers have had problems with lodging at harvest this year. The primary culprit for this (as for many of our woes this fall) was the extended period of unfavorable weather that we have suffered. However, in parts of southern Illinois damage by the dectes stem borer contributed to this problem. The adult dectes stem borer (Figure 1) is a “long-horned” beetle that can often be found in soybean and on other plants.
Dectes Stem Borer and lodged soybeans
Source: University of Illinois Extension Many soybean growers have had problems with lodging at harvest this year. The primary culprit for this (as for many of our woes this fall) was the extended period of unfavorable weather that we have suffered. However, in parts of southern Illinois damage by the dectes stem borer contributed to this problem. The adult dectes stem borer (Figure 1) is a “long-horned” beetle that can often be found in soybean and on other plants.
Illinois Soybeans: Dectes Stem Borer and Lodged Plants
Illinois Soybeans: Dectes Stem Borer and Lodged Plants Posted on November 29, 2018 By Nick Seiter, University of Illinois Extension Entomologist Dectes stem borer. Photo: Nathan Yielding, University of Kentucky Many soybean growers have had problems with lodging at harvest this year. The primary culprit for this (as for many of our woes this fall) was the extended period of unfavorable weather that we have suffered.
IPM: Economic Thresholds - What Are They, How Are They Developed?
An insect control action (such as spraying an insecticide or planting a corn hybrid that incorporates a Bt trait) is only justified once the population of an insect pest reaches a certain level. This makes sense if you consider how foolish it would be to spray an entire soybean field because you found a single bean leaf beetle. However, determining the critical level of pest activity where a control action is needed can be challenging.
Illinois Corn, Soybeans: Big Year for Japanese Beetles
It is proving to be a big year for Japanese beetles in Illinois, and while populations should be starting to decline in much of the state, there is still a lot of feeding going on. The damage these insects cause can be eye-catching, especially on the edges of fields where Japanese beetles tend to congregate; however, before you decide to put out an insecticide, you want to be sure that decision is justified by the economics of the system.
Managing Japanese beetles in corn and soybeans
Source: University of Illinois Extension It is proving to be a big year for Japanese beetles in Illinois, and while populations should be starting to decline in much of the state, there is still a lot of feeding going on. The damage these insects cause can be eye-catching, especially on the edges of fields where Japanese beetles tend to congregate; however, before you decide to put out an insecticide, you want to be sure that decision is justified by the economics of the system.
Corn disease updates
Source: University of Illinois Extension This week there has been a slight uptick in the amount of foliar disease reports in corn, likely as many people are actively scouting prior to making a fungicide application decision. The most common disease, as you may expect is Grey leaf spot. This disease is present to varying degrees in most fields. No big surprise there. We have seen and received several reports and samples of Diplodia leaf streak.
Illinois: Western Corn Rootworm - Adult Sampling and Economic Thresholds
Based on degree day accumulations, western corn rootworm egg hatch should be underway in much of Illinois (roughly south of Peoria as of May 29; you can view your specific location using the degree day calculator here). We are probably just over a month away from seeing the emergence of the first adult beetles. With low rootworm populations for the last several years, there has been a renewed interest in adult sampling.
Illinois Corn: 4 Black Cutworm Management Considerations
With corn planting wrapping up throughout most of Illinois, the time has come to scout for cutworms. While several species of cutworms infest early season corn, black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) is the most likely to cause economic damage. We have received a handful of reports of cutting in southern Illinois, with more expected in the coming weeks as heat units begin to accumulate.
Managing Corn Rootworm Populations in Illinois: Considerations for 2018
Rootworm management is a yearly consideration for most corn producers in central and northern Illinois. Western corn rootworm (Fig. 1) is the primary pest species throughout most of the state, but areas in northern IL can experience pest pressure from the northern corn rootworm (Fig. 2) as well. Adult population densities have been low in recent years compared with historical averages, although they did creep up a bit in 2017.
Kudzu bug management update
Kudzu bugs have been found more readily in soybeans in Arkansas this year, and we have had a few fields near Helena reach our economic threshold of 25 nymphs in 25 sweeps (Fig. 1). We followed one field in particular to demonstrate our management recommendations and test several products for efficacy (thanks to Phillips County Extension Agents Robert Goodson and Shawn Payne for helping us identify and monitor the field, and to Hank Chaney for helping us organize several demonstrations).
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