Crop and Pest Alerts

Agricultural Extension Service, The University of Tennessee (September 7,
2002)

Soybeans: There are several reports of loopers and green cloverworms in
soybeans at this time. Weakley county is experiencing heavy looper
pressure and defoliation of wheat beans. Loopers are found along with a
mix of green cloverworms and armyworms, in addition to podworms. The
defoliation threshold for soybeans that are filling pods is 30% over the
entire plant. See UT's Soybean Insect and Mite Control guide to help
determine what 30% leaf area loss looks like.

Soybean Loopers: Loopers are distinguished by 2 sets of abdominal prolegs
(legs towards the back of the larvae right before the anal prolegs at the
tip of the insect). If loopers are the main pest you want to control in
the field, products like the Bt's, Larvin, Tracer, Steward (just labeled
for soybeans) or Larvin are recommended.

What about loopers + stink bugs?
* Lannate (21-24 oz/A)
* Tracer (1 oz/A) OR Steward (6.4 oz/A) PLUS methyl parathion (0.25 lb
ai/A)

What about using a pyrethroid insecticide for looper control??
*Most pyrethroid insecticides are labeled for control of loopers. However,
many cotton producing states have reported that soybean loopers are less
susceptible to pyrethroids and do not recommend their use. Tennessee has
not documented resistance in soybean loopers, but does not include
pyrethroids as a recommended treatment. (Note: At this time, a few
Tennessee fields that were recently sprayed with a pyrethroid product have
shown excellent looper control.)

Green Cloverworms: Green cloverworms are identified by 3 sets of abdominal
prolegs. They can be mistaken for loopers because they can also "loop"
when they move!! Count prolegs to be certain. Green cloverworms are much
easier to control than loopers and in addition to the products listed
above, Sevin or Lorsban, or a pyrethroid insecticide like Karate Z, Fury,
Asana XL, Ambush or Pounce will work.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
Pesticides recommended herein were registered for the prescribed uses when
this publication was printed. Should registration be canceled, the
University of Tennessee will immediately discontinue its recommendation of
the pesticide. Use of trade or brand names in this publication is for
clarity and information; it does not imply approval of the product to the
exclusion of others that may be of similar, suitable composition, nor does
it guarantee or warrant the standard of the product.

The Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible
persons regardless of race, color. National origin, sex religion,
disability or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS. The
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of
Agriculture and county governments cooperating in furtherance of Acts of
May 8 and June 30, 1914. Agricultural Extension Service, Charles L.
Norman, Dean.




Scott D. Stewart, Cotton IPM Specialist
West TN Experiment Station
605 Airways Blvd
Jackson, TN 38301
Phone: (731) 425-4709
Fax: (731) 425-4720
Email: sdstewart@utk.edu