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Agronomic Crops Network

Ohio State University Extension

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Stink Bugs in Soybean

There are many species of stink bugs that feed on soybean including brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), green, red shouldered, and brown stink bugs. Stink bugs injure soybean in the latter half of the season after flowering by feeding on pods and seeds, resulting in lower yields and reductions in seed quality, the latter being a major concern when soybean is grown for seed or food grade purposes. 

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Description automatically generatedSampling: Begin scouting for stink bugs when the soybean plant reaches the R2 stage (full bloom, when the plant has an open flower at one of the two upper-most nodes on the main stem). Stink bug feeding can cause economic loss from the R3 stage (pod set) to the R6 stage (full seed set).  Using a sweep net, sample in at least 5 locations in smaller fields, more in larger fields. Stink bugs tend to be more numerous on field edges so sample hroughout the field for the overall

picture. At each location take a set of 10 sweeps, taking a step with each sweep of the vegetation. Count the number of stink bugs captured in your sweep net for each 10 sweep set. All pest stinkbug species, both adults and nymphs, should be counted together.  Average your counts per set – thresholds range from an average of 2 to 4 stink bugs per 10-swep set based on intended use.

For more information about stink bug biology, identification, and management visit our new field guide to the Stink Bugs of Ohio Soybean at https://aginsects.osu.edu/sites/aginsects/files/imce/Stink%20bugs%20of%20OH%20field%20guide%20FINAL%202_2_22%20online.pdf

Crop Observation and Recommendation Network

C.O.R.N. Newsletter is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio crop producers and industry. C.O.R.N. Newsletter is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, state specialists at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). C.O.R.N. Newsletter questions are directed to Extension and OARDC state specialists and associates at Ohio State.