The BMSB situation has not changed a lot since last week, except that we have found them in a couple of ‘new’ counties. Our epicenter for high populations is still in the north/central part of the state (see the attached distribution map). Several growers in that area have applied field edge treatments and we are in the process of doing as many follow-up visits as possible to determine if/when the bugs may move back in. So far, edge treatments seem to be holding and we ARE NOT recommending treating whole fields. These BMSB infestations have been very consistently on field edges so spraying entire large fields appears to be a waste of time and money. What can we expect in the next few weeks? Will BMSBs move into late planted fields, a pattern that we often see with our native stink bug species? Or, will BMSBs begin to leave fields for their overwintering sites in buildings and structures? We are not certain. Our plan is to keep monitoring as many fields as possible through the end of September when most fields would be developed to a stage that is safe from stink bug damage. We also expect to see fields, especially in the north/central part of the state, with stay-green syndrome on the edges—a response soybean plants have to stink bug damage that occurred earlier in the season. Finally, we are still monitoring our field insecticide trials and although these are not finished, we are seeing good results with most of the products we applied. We are seeing good control with several products including Vydate, Lannate, Belay, Baythroid XL, Endigo ZC, Cobalt Advanced, and Brigade. More details will be provided once these tests are completed.
Additional information: va-bmsb-soybean-sept-1-2011-pdf