Statewide Slug Monitoring Project – Update # 2

This is our second year of our multi-state project to monitor slugs funded by the United Soybean Board. The goal of this research is to have a better understanding of slugs in soybean in states across our region. This year, we have 23 counties participating in shingle monitoring for slugs.

Figure 1. Slug feeding on soybean cotyledon in the field.   

Our second report covers monitoring from May 19^th to May 25^th. During this time we had 15 counties monitoring a total of 125 shingle traps. Because of the rain and cold temperatures, many fields have not been planted, and our slug numbers are low compared to last year. Our highest slug average over the past week was 12.2, which was an outlier from the statewide average of 1 slug per trap. We will continue to update slug numbers as the season continues, so stay tuned for slug updates over the next few weeks!

Slugs in Ohio

May 19^th – May 25^th

Figure 2. Average slugs captured from May 19^th to May 25^th. The bold number on the left indicates the average slug count for the week, followed by the standard number on the right which indicates the total traps set up in that county.