By Erin Hodgson, Department of Entomology
Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) have released a collaborative publication, Field Crop Insects, the latest in a series of practical and valuable reference tools for farmers.
Correct recognition and identification of insect pests is an important first step to making a proper management decision regarding any insect found in soybean and corn. Field Crop Insects is a comprehensive publication for farmers and ag professionals in a format they can easily use. In addition to help with identification, it provides useful information about sampling and treatment thresholds.
The 74-page publication is filled with vivid, full-color images and descriptions of insect pests and the damage they cause to soybeans and corn. Management options are provided as well as Web addresses for access to more detailed insect control recommendations.
Insect pests are becoming more prevalent in Iowa as environmental conditions and cropping systems change. Minimizing yield loss from insects is essential for sustainable and profitable soybean and corn production. The imagery in this publication is detailed so it is easy to accurately identify problem pests.
Funding for printing and distribution of the publication was provided by the Iowa Soybean Association through the soybean checkoff and ISU Extension and Outreach.
Printed copies of Field Crop Insects can be obtained by contacting the Iowa Soybean Association at (800) 383-1423; they can also be ordered from the ISU Extension Online Store at http://store.extension.iastate.edu or by calling (515) 294-5247 and requesting publication CSI 0014. The guide can be viewed online at www.iasoybeans.com/.
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on January 24, 2012. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.
Erin Hodgson Professor
Dr. Erin Hodgson started working in the Department of Entomology, now the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology, at Iowa State University in 2009. She is a professor with extension and research responsibilities in corn and soybeans. She has a general background in integrated...