Seven alternative insecticides to methyl parathion were assessed for stink bug control and yield and quality losses in soybean field trials in Georgia, Louisiana and Florida during 1988 and 1989. Several pyrethroid insecticides including lambda-cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, tralomethrin and cypermethrin controlled the southern green soybean stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.). These insecticides had greater residual control than methyl parathion, the standard for stink bug control, and acephate, another labeled soybean insecticide. The residual control of the pyrethroids also prevented the buildup of green cloverworm, Plathypena scabra (F.), velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, and bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster). Permethrin, another pyrethroid insecticide, did not provide adequate stink bug control at the rate tested. Yields and 100-seed weights in the alternative insecticide plots were equal to or exceeded those in the standard treatments. Soybean quality (lower percentage of stink bug damaged kernels) was higher in plots treated with pyrethroids. Several alternative insecticides for controlling stink bugs are available to replace methyl parathion in soybean, should this product become unavailable to producers due to its patent expiration or denial of re-registration.
Author notes
2 Louisiana State University, Department of Entomology, 402 Life Sciences Building, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-1710.
3 University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, Route 3, Box 4370, Qunicy, FL 32351-9529.