Combining host plant resistance and insecticide applications to control stink bugs in soybean

Stink bugs are the most important pests of soybeans, Glycine max (L.) Merrill  in the southeastern region of USA. In this region, the combination of scouting and insecticide application are widely used to control different stink bug species. On the other hand, control tactics such as moderately resistant varieties when used in combination with insecticides can be more effective. In this study, two soybean varieties Pioneer 95Y20 (moderately resistant to stink bugs) and Progeny 4906RR (susceptible to stink bugs) were planted in field plots and treated with different insecticides when the stink bugs reached the action threshold during the 2012 growing season. Sampling of stink bugs continued until the soybean plants reached full maturity and yield from the plots was obtained. The harvested soybeans were examined for seed damage caused by stink bugs. This study presents preliminary findings on the effects of selected soybean varieties and insecticide treatments on stink bug damage.