Seasonal Occurrence of Caterpillar Pest of Soybeans

Over the past decade growers in Mississippi have moved away from the traditional early soybean production system, consisting of maturity group 3 and 4 soybeans, which allowed the grower the opportunity to avoid potential late season damage from Lepidopteron pest.  In 2004 over 65% of soybeans planted in Mississippi were planted before April 25, in 2012 it was less than 40%.  With growers planting more maturity group 5 soybeans with spread out planting dates, the benefits of the early soybean production system have diminished.  To see how planting date and maturity group effects Lepidopteron pest in Mississippi, a study was conducted at the North Farm in Starkville, Mississippi, as well as the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, Mississippi. The study consisted of two maturity groups, group 4 and group 5 soybeans, that were planted over 7 different planting dates at both locations.  Surveys were taken weekly from the plots using a standard 15 inch diameter sweep net.  The goal of this study was to show the benefit of early planted early maturing soybeans to avoid late season damage from Lepidopteron pest.