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Train your defoliation eye to manage Japanese beetle in soybean

July 16, 2025
Content Author: Erin Hodgson, Ashley Dean

Are you seeing Japanese beetles in field crops? Watch this 4-minute video to learn more about how to estimate Japanese beetle defoliation and use economic thresholds in soybean: 

 CPN: Soybean insect defoliation training tool link

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 July 16, 2025. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.

Authored by
Photo of Erin Hodgson
Erin Hodgson
  • Professor
  • Extension Entomologist Specialist
  • ANR Crops Team Leader
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 pest management (IPM) for field crops. Dr. Hodgson's current extension and research programs are focused on improving corn and soybean production by using IPM tactics to protect yield and increase overall farmer profits. Among other projects, she oversees insecticide efficacy evaluations for soybean aphids, Japanese beetles, and aphids in corn. Erin also helps manage emerging field crop pests and invasive species.
Ashley Dean
Ashley Dean
  • Extension Education Specialist, Entomology
Ashley is an extension specialist for field crop entomology at Iowa State University. Ashley coordinates the Iowa Moth Trapping Network, the Regional Corn Rootworm Monitoring Network, and the Iowa Pest Alert Network. She also develops educational resources for field crop pests in Iowa and aids in the research efforts of the Soybean Research Laboratory.

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