We have found kudzu bugs, adults only, in three new counties, Pittsylvania and Henry Counties (in kudzu only) and Dinwiddie County (in soybean). These adults are the second generation. Adults are active and can fly long distances. The first generation developed to the south of us in either soybean or kudzu. We can expect more fields to become infested over the next several weeks and there is no way to predict for sure where these will be. I think most of our soybean acreage in Virginia could be at risk. The best way to sample for kudzu bugs is with the standard 15-inch diameter sweep net. Sweep the edges of fields first as they typically start there. Also, they seem to have a preference for beans that are flowering. If you find adults, don’t panic. The thresholds developed in the southeast are based on the capture of nymphs—an average of 1 nymph per sweep—so 15 nymphs in our recommended 15 sweep sample. Adults invade fields, lay eggs, and the nymphs hatch to begin feeding. So by waiting to make a treatment until nymphs are present means the insecticide will have the best chance of killing all stages and lasting—hopefully a single application. Spraying when adults, only, are present will most likely result in having to make a second application. Begin sweeping field edges, especially fields with flowering plants—and please report any catches to us so we can keep track of the occurrence and spread.

Brown marmorated stink bugs are slow to develop this year. I think this could be related to the extreme heat—they just don’t seem to like hot weather (don’t quote me on that). But we are not waiting. We started our survey program this week and a scout reported finding a few on the edges of one or two fields in Orange County, one of the areas that was hit hard last summer. We are going to increase our survey effort over the next few weeks and post all findings on this advisory.

Our field corn survey is not completed, but so far, most counties that have reported are indicating pretty high percentages of infested ears (50-60 percent in the southeastern counties). If conditions stay dry, we may have a pretty heavy flight into soybean fields. Adult moth trap catches are down this week—the quiet before the storm. We had a small flight earlier which resulted in a few worms in whorl-stage sorghum and an occasional worm in cotton and soybean fields, but this next flight from corn will be the big one. Because corn fields are variable in condition and maturity, the moth flight will most likely be sporadic and localized—heavy in some areas, lighter in others. The only way to determine if fields are infested worms is to scout them, especially once pods start forming. We will post weekly updates as more information comes in.