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Damage symptoms
Seed pods are poorly
developed. Individual soybean seeds have holes and internal portions
are gutted out. The insides of the pods are partially or completely
consumed. Externally, pods appear to be abnormal, i.e., not full
but shrunken in appearance. Small surface punctures are evident.
Insect characteristics
The caterpillar is
rather pretty, blue with a yellow head. It wiggles violently
when disturbed. The adult moth is small, brown, and active only
at night.
Where to
look
Remove soybean pods
that are shrunken. You might also notice small punctures on the
surface of the pods. Open these pods and inspect them for the
larva. Check areas around the developing beans and internal portions
of the beans themselves.
Technical
information
Often the developing
caterpillar transfers from one soybean pod to another to feed.
The adult moth lays her eggs on inflorescences and young pods
and the hatching larva immediately bores through the surface
to feed internally. Pupation normally takes place in the soil
but sometimes on pods.
Control
To be added later. |
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