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Stink Bug

Overview

Most commonly found in the southern United States, including states like Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, stink bugs can significantly impact soybean crops by feeding on the developing seeds within the pods, leading to reduced yield and lower quality. Their feeding activity can also cause premature pod drop and introduce pathogens into the plant, further compromising crop health and productivity.

But by regularly monitoring fields for potential stink bug activity, recognizing indicators of stink bug infestations and being ready to react with appropriate insecticide products like Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC* and GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*, farmers can effectively respond to and control pest pressures.

(Image Credit: Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org)

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How to Identify Stink Bugs

Stink bugs are typically shield-shaped and have a distinctive odor when disturbed, hence their name. The most common stink bug species found in soybeans are the:

  1. Green stink bug (Nezara viridula)

  2. Brown stink bug (Euschistus servus)

  3. Redbanded stink bug (Piezodorus guildinii)

Both the green and brown stink bugs have a mottled appearance and can vary in color from green to brown. Redbanded stink bugs are roughly half the size of other stink bug species, green in color and can be identified by a red band across the back and a fixed spine along the abdomen.

Adult stink bugs measure around 0.5 to 0.75 inches in length and have a characteristic triangular shape on their backs, which can help to differentiate them from other insects.

How to Scout for Stink Bugs

Stink bugs are prolific, going through 4-8 generations in a single growing season. This means that growth stages from egg to adult can all be present at the same time, impacting the effectiveness of insecticides. And since most soybean insecticides have a limited amount of residual activity, they can pop up in a field quickly, making timely scouting even more important.

One of the most common indicators of stink bugs in soybeans is the appearance of small, necrotic spots on the pods. These spots are a result of the feeding punctures made by the insects, which can lead to significant yield losses if not addressed promptly. Another indicator is seeing the pests, which would be noticeable as adult bugs or nymphs.

Note that redbanded stink bugs will do 60% of their feeding in the bottom two-thirds of the canopy, so prioritize scouting in that area of the crop. That said, stink bugs will retreat into the canopy when temperatures are high, so take this into consideration when scouting is in progress. And since they reproduce quickly, be sure to check on at least a weekly basis.

Farmers who think they might be looking at a stink bug problem should use a sweep net to check insect counts. The economic threshold is approximately 6 bugs in 25 sweeps.

Timing of Stink Bug Infestations

While stink bugs can be found throughout the entire season, their impact becomes most significant during the reproductive stages of the crop. In the early season, stink bugs may feed on vegetative tissues, but their damage is typically minimal at this stage. However, as soybeans enter the pod-filling stage, stink bug populations can rapidly multiply, posing a greater threat to both yield and quality.

(Image Credit: Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org)

How to Chemically Manage Stink Bugs

Timely and effective intervention relies on vigilant field scouting and pest detection, as does accurate identification given that different stink bug species have varying levels of susceptibility to certain insecticides.

To combat redbanded stink bugs, select an insecticide with the active ingredient bifenthrin or a high rate of acephate. The most effective tank mixes, however, include more than one active ingredient. This helps ensure adequate coverage while also protecting against resistance issues. A lambdacyhalothrin like Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC* and thiamethoxam combination can also be useful against this pest.

There are several chemical products also available that can effectively control other stink bug species in soybeans, including insecticides containing pyrethroids, neonicotinoids and organophosphates, all of which have been proven to be effective when applied according to label instructions and integrated into an overall pest management strategy.

Other popular options include GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*, an insecticide containing bifenthrin with similar label applications.

Apply foliar insecticides from pod set (R3) to full seed set (R6) to help control southern green, green, and brown stink bugs. Redbanded stink bugs may require protection through the R7-R8 growth stages.

Disclaimer

© 2014 - 2024 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, “FBN Direct” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. This content was written by Norm℠, reviewed and edited by Mikaela Tierney.

FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice and excludes CA mills tax and MN ACRRA fees. Terms and conditions apply.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements.

All product recommendations and other information provided is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for consulting the product label or for specific agronomic, business,or professional advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified advisor. Neither Farmer's Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.

*Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC is a restricted use pesticide.

*GCS Bifenthrin 2EC is a restricted use pesticide.

*RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE Due to acute toxicity. For retail sale to and use by certified applicators only – NOT to be used by uncertified persons working under the supervision of a certified applicator.

Every product that labels STINK BUG as a weed, pest, or disease the product can be applied against is shown below. Click any product for label and more information.
Acenthrin™Acephate 90 PrillAcephate 90 Prill Select™Acephate 90 WDGAcephate 90 WSPAcephate 97 WDGAcephate 97UP®Acronyx™ 2 FlowableAcronyx™ 4 FActara®Admire® ProAdvise® 2FLAdvise® FourAdvise® FourAgri-Flex® Miticide/InsecticideAlias® 4FAmbush® 25WAmbush® InsecticideAnarchy 30 SGAnarchy 70 WPAnnihilate™ LVAnnihilate™ LV InsecticideAnnihilate™ SPAnnihilate™ SP InsecticideAnniston 70 WP InsecticideApta®Arctic® 3.2 ECArgyle™ ODAria® InsecticideArtistArVida® 30 SG InsecticideArVida™ 70 WP InsecticideAsana® XLAssail® 30 SG InsecticideAssail® 30SC InsecticideAssail® 70WP InsecticideAstro® InsecticideAthena™ Insecticide/MiticideAtrevia™ 1.2% SLAvenger™ Bold S3™Avenger™ S3™Aza-Direct®Azatin® OAzera® InsecticideAzomar™Batallion™ 10 WSPBatallion™ 2 ECBatallion™ LFCBattery® 2.5 ECBaythroid® XLBelay® 50 WDGBelay® InsecticideBesiege® InsecticideBexar®Bi-Dash 2EBidrin® 8 Water MiscibleBidrin® XP IIBifen 2 AG GoldBifen 25% ECBifender® FC InsecticideBifenthrin 2EC InsecticideBifenture® 10DFBifenture® ECBifenture® LFCBisect® LBolton™BotaniGard® 22WPBotaniGard® 22WPBotaniGard® ESBotaniGard® ESBotaniGard® MaxxBoteGHA® ESBracket® 90 WDGBracket® 97Bracket® 97 (Soluble Insecticide)Bracket® 97 WDGBrigade® 2EC Insecticide/MiticideBrigade® WSB InsecticideBrigadier® InsecticideCapture® 2EC-CALCapture® LFR®Carbaryl 4LCarbaryl 4LCavalry™ IICedar Gard™Celite® 610Certador® insecticideCheminova Malathion® 57%Cobalt® AdvancedCobalt® InsecticideConsero®Consero® (Gamma-cyhalothrin)Cormoran®Couraze® 2FCouraze® 4Couraze® 4FCrossoverCrossover® ProCrusader 2MECrusader® 1ECDamoil™ Dormant & Summer Spray OilDanitol® 2.4 EC Spray Insecticide-MiticideDeadzone™Declare® InsecticideDeclare® InsecticideDelta Gold®Diamond®Diamond® 0.83ECDibrom® 8 Emulsive (RUP)Dicromax® 8Discipline® 2ECDiscipline® CADoubleTake™Ecozin® Plus 1.2% MEElevest™Endigo® ZCEndigo® ZCXEnkounter™ InsecticideEthos® XB Insecticide/FungicideEverGreen® Crop Protection EC 60-6EverGreen® Pro 60-6Exirel® Insect Control (With Cyazypyr®)Fanfare® 2ECFanfare® ECFanfare® ESFastac® CS insecticideFastac™ EC insecticideFirestone™Flagship® 25WGFrenzy AttackFrenzy VelozFyfanon®Fyfanon® 57% ECGCS Bifenthrin 2ECGCS Bifenthrin LFCGladiator® Insecticide/MiticideGrandevo® CGGrandevo® WDGGrizzly® TooGrizzly® Z InsecticideHarvanta® 50SL InsecticideHero® EWHero® InsecticideHolster™ Insecticide (Caution)Holster™ Insecticide (Warning)IMAX PlusImidacloprid 4FImidashot DF InsecticideIntruder® Max 70WPJustice®Kaiso® 24 WGKarate® InsecticideKarate® with Zeon™ TechnologyKendo® 22.8 CSKendo™ InsecticideKilter®L - C InsecticideLambda TLambda-Cy AGLambda-Cy™ EC Insecticide-RUPLambdafos™ InsecticideLamcap® IILamcap™Lamdec™ InsecticideLancer® FCLancer™ 2ECLannate® LVLannate® LV InsecticideLannate® SPLannate® SPLanveer LV™Leverage® 360Livid® 90 PrillLivid® 97 PrillLorsban® 75 WGM-Pede® Insecticide Miticide FungicideMachete® InsecticideMacho® 2.0 FLMacho® 4.0 FlowableMalathion 5ECMalice® 75 WSPMatch-Up™ InsecticideMayhem™ InsecticideMenace® 7.9% FlowableMenace® GC 7.9% FlowableMidash 2SC Ag InsecticideMidash Forte InsecticideMinecto® ProMolt-X®Montana® 2FMontana® 4FMustang® InsecticideMustang® MaxxMycotrol® ESOMycotrol® ESOMycotrol® WPOMycotrol® WPONanoCropNudrin® LVNudrin® SPNufarm Lambda-Cyhalothrin 1EC InsecticideNuprid® 2SC Soil/Foliar InsecticideNuprid® 4F Max InsecticideObelisk™Omni® Brand Imidacloprid 2F Flowable InsecticideOrthene® 97Paradigm®Paradigm® VCPasada® 1.6FPedestal®Pedestal®Perm-UP® 25DFPerm-UP® 3.2 ECPermaStar™ AG InsecticidePermethrinPermethrin 3.2 AGPermethrin 3.2 ECPermethrin 3.2 EC (70506-9-5905)Pounce® 25WPPrey® 1.6Pro-Mate® BifenthrinProaxis® InsecticideProaxis® InsecticideProaxis™Province® IIProvince™Provoke™Punisher™PureSpray™ GreenPycana™Pyganic® Crop Protection EC 1.4 IIPyganic® Crop Protection EC 5.0 IIPyganic® SpecialtyRavage®Renestra™ InsecticideRespect® EC insecticideRespect® insecticideReveal®Reveal® CAReveal® Endurx™Revere® 2.0Ridgeback™Rimon® 0.83ECRuckus™ LFR® InsecticideS-FenvaloStarSarisa™Scorpion® 35SL InsecticideSeeker™ Insecticide with Isoclast™ ActiveSeguroSerpent™ 1 ECSevin® 4FSevin® SLSevin® XLR PlusSherpa® InsecticideSilencer®Silencer® VXN™Skyraider®SlugbugSniper®Sniper® Helios®Sniper® LFR®Stallion® BrandSteed® InsecticideSultrus™Surround® CF Crop ProtectantSurround® WP Crop ProtectantSwagger®Tailgunner™Talstar® S Select InsecticideTempest™ Dual-Action InsecticideTenkoz® Acephate 97Tenkoz® Cypermethrin (Caution)Tenkoz® Cypermethrin (Warning)Tenkoz® Permethrin 3.2 ECTepera® PlusTepera® Plus HDTepera® Plus HDTersus® InsecticideTide Acephate 90 WDGTide Imidacloprid 2FTide Imidacloprid 4FTombstone™Tombstone™ Helios®Torac®Transform® WGTriple Crown™ Golf InsecticideTriple Crown™ InsecticideTundra® EC (1381-196)Tundra® LFCTundra® SupremeUP-Cyde® 2.5 ECVenerate® CGVenerate® XCVenerate™Venom® InsecticideVerdepryn™ 100SL InsecticideVoliam Flexi®Voliam Xpress®Voltage Endurx®Warrior II with Zeon Technology®Willowood Bifenthrin 2ECWillowood Imidacloprid 4SCWillowood Lambda 1ECWillowood Lambda-Cy 1ECWrangler® InsecticideWrath® InsecticideZyrate®