Agronomic Crops

2 0 1 6 

INSECT CONTROL GUIDE 

for 

Agronomic Crops

Contents 

Cotton ................................................................................... 2 

Soybeans .............................................................................. 22 

Corn ..................................................................................... 45 

Grain Sorghum .................................................................... 63 

Wheat ................................................................................... 69 

Sweetpotatoes .................................................................... 71 

Rice ....................................................................................... 81 

Peanuts ................................................................................ 84 

Pasture ................................................................................. 92 

Insecticide Performance Ratings 

Cotton ..............................................................................96 

Soybeans ...........................................................................97 

Corn ..................................................................................98 

Grain Sorghum .................................................................99 

Small Grains ....................................................................100 

Rice ..................................................................................100

COTTON INSECT MANAGEMENT 

Integrated Pest Management 

Successful, economical control of cotton insect pests requires using a variety of control methods instead of only one, such as 

scheduled insecticide use. is approach to insect control is called integrated pest management, or IPM. Current cotton insect control 

recommendations are based on the IPM concept. 

Insecticides are a key part of cotton IPM, but relying only on insecticides is not possible in Mississippi. 

e objective of cotton IPM is to use all available, practical, nonchemical methods of suppressing insect populations; to monitor 

pest populations closely; and, when scouting indicates that pest populations have exceeded economic thresholds, to integrate insecticides 

in a way that optimizes crop production and minimizes ecosystem disruption. 

Because of the number of insect pests that attack cotton and the relatively high unit value of the crop, cotton IPM is quite 

complex. Management tactics applied against one pest may be favorable or unfavorable to the development of other pests in the 

system. Also, treatments applied during one part of the season may affect future pest populations or your ability to control those 

pests at later points during the season or in the following years. An overall cotton IPM program must consider these types of longterm 

effects. ey greatly influence the ability of Mississippi growers to maintain economical cotton production. 

ere are many aspects of IPM that must be used to manage cotton insect pests effectively. ese include using resistant varieties, 

managing for early crop maturity, using various cultural practices, managing for insecticide resistance, using economic thresholds, 

scouting thoroughly, and applying insecticides in a timely manner when needed. 

objective 

to produce an early high-yielding crop, follow recommended practices for soil preparation, variety selection, planting dates, 

use of fungicides and herbicides, and protection from insect and mite damage. 

to minimize the impact of pests and pest control costs, 

a. Scout fields regularly. Make careful counts of insect pest populations. 

b. Use all available, practical noninsecticidal IPM tools. 

c. Apply insecticides promptly when needed. 

d. Use the most cost-efficient insecticide recommended for the target pest. Apply insecticide during the most susceptible stage 

of development. 

e. Follow recommended guidelines for practicing insecticide-resistance management. 

Before deciding to treat and before choosing the insecticide, consider such factors as the potential to intensify secondary pest 

problems and insecticide resistance. 

Warning 

Information in this guide is provided for educational and planning purposes only. When using agricultural chemicals, you (the 

user) are responsible for making sure the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Before 

applying any insecticide, be sure to get current usage information. Read and follow the product label. 

Precautions 

Before using a pesticide, read the label carefully. Follow the directions. Pay attention to all precautions on the pesticide container 

label. Observe all regulations on worker protection and pesticide record-keeping. Store pesticides in plainly labeled containers 

safely away from livestock, pets, and children. Store pesticides in an area where they will not contaminate food or feed. 

Resistance 

Research indicates most cotton pests are pesticide-resistant. some pesticides control pests in one area and not another. 

excessive use of pesticides will intensify the problem. 

scouting 

Proper scouting is the backbone of an effective cotton insect management program. e goal of any scouting program should 

be to minimize insecticide use and insect control costs by avoiding unnecessary treatments and by timing required treatments properly. 

Effective scouting requires spending enough time in the field and taking enough samples to make an accurate decision on 

whether or not treatment is required. Frequency of scouting is critical. During most of the growing season, scout fields thoroughly 

every 3 to 4 days. Allow enough time in the scouting schedule to allow more frequent “spot checks” when necessary. 

2 Crop Cotton Name

esholds 

Making insect management decisions based on established treatment thresholds rather than applying treatments based on 

schedules or presence of pests is a proven method of reducing insect management costs. Effective use of thresholds requires frequent, 

intensive scouting to get accurate estimates of populations of various pest species that may be present in a field. 

e term “treatment threshold” means the pest population level at which treatment must be applied to avoid economic loss 

that would be greater than the cost of the treatment. resholds can vary, depending on species of pest present, stage of crop development, 

yield potential of the crop, cost of the treatment, market price, populations of other pests present, number of beneficial insects, 

potential for flaring secondary pests, ability to control secondary pests, and other factors. e thresholds recommended in 

this guide vary according to pest species and stage of crop development, but fixed thresholds cannot fully consider the many other 

factors that can influence a treatment decision. Although the thresholds recommended in this guide are generally somewhat conservative 

(quick to treat), factors such as multiple pest species or unusually low fruit retention could indicate a need to reduce thresholds. 

Factors like high beneficial insect populations, risk of flaring difficult-to-control secondary pests, high treatment costs, or low 

price potential could indicate a need to use higher thresholds. 

Variety selection 

Available varieties have different levels of susceptibility to certain insect pests. Consider insect resistance/tolerance when selecting 

seed varieties. Some key traits and their general effect on certain insects are as follows: 

early Maturity — Early maturing, short-season varieties are more likely to escape attack/damage from late-season infestations of 

budworms/bollworms, tarnished plant bugs, etc. 

smooth Leaf — Aphid and whitefly populations tend to be reduced on smooth leaf varieties. Budworms/bollworms tend to deposit 

fewer eggs than on hairy varieties. e smooth leaf trait may somewhat favor plant bugs. 

okra Leaf — Varieties with okra leaf trait allow improved canopy penetration of foliar insecticide treatments. is trait also has 

been associated with resistance to whiteflies. 

nectariless — Plant bug populations tend to be lower on nectariless varieties. Also, the nectariless trait tends to reduce egg production 

capacity of most moth species because of reduced nectar availability. Populations of beneficial insects that help suppress bollworms/budworms 

are also generally lower in nectariless cotton. 

High Glanding — Varieties with the high glanding trait have additional gossypol glands, increasing resistance to budworms/bollworms. 

Bt-transgenic Varieties — Dual gene transgenic varieties (Bollgard II and Widestrike) provide better suppression of bollworms and 

other caterpillar pests than Bollgard cotton did. 

Cultural Practices 

Cultural practices can affect populations of specific insect pests. Here are effects of some common cultural practices: 

Fall stalk Destruction — Destroying stalks as soon as possible after harvest helps reduce populations of overwintered boll weevils 

dramatically. 

Fall tillage — Budworms/bollworms overwinter as pupae 1 to 3 inches deep in the soil. Fall tillage destroys some pupae and disrupts 

exit tunnels, reducing numbers that emerge from overwintering. 

spring tillage — Destroying weeds and/or cover crops by tillage or herbicide at least 3 weeks before planting minimizes risk of 

cutworm problems. Tilling in early spring, before April 15, will also destroy many overwintering tobacco budworm and bollworm 

pupae. 

no-till Planting — No-till planting has both negative and positive effects on cotton insect populations. Fields planted no-till are at 

greater risk for cutworm infestations. ey are much more likely to have stand-threatening infestations of occasional early-season 

seedling pests, such as grasshoppers, false chinch bugs, and a variety of other pests. Scout fields planted no-till very frequently during 

the first 3 to 4 weeks after emergence. One of the most significant features of no-till production is the establishment of high 

populations of fire ants. Fire ants will tend and protect certain sucking pests, such as aphids and three-cornered alfalfa hoppers, 

causing their numbers to be higher in no-till cotton. But fire ants are also very aggressive predators of the eggs, larvae, and pupae of 

caterpillar pests. e impact of fire ants on caterpillar populations in no-till cotton can be very significant, and it is not unusual for 

fire ants and other beneficial insects together to suppress caterpillar pests in both Bt and non-Bt fields that are planted no-till. High 

numbers of snails and negro bugs often occur in no-till fields, but neither of these species has been observed to cause damage to 

cotton, even when populations are extremely high. 

Plant stand Density — Excessive plant stand density can result in delayed fruit initiation and delayed maturity, increasing exposure 

to late-season insects. 

early Maturity — Early-maturing crops are more likely to escape attack/damage from late-season infestations of tobacco budworms, 

bollworms, armyworms, loopers, and other pests. Cultural practices such as excessive nitrogen use, late irrigation, or excessive 

stand density can result in delayed maturity and increased exposure to late-season insects. 

Crop Cotton Name 3

Insecticide treatment termination — End insecticide treatments for tobacco budworms, bollworms, and other pests as soon as 

crop maturity monitoring indicates the crop is reasonably safe from further damage. is step will reduce insecticide use, control 

costs, and reduce future insecticide resistance. 

Border Vegetation Management — Plant bugs can build up on flowering plants growing around field borders. ey may move 

into cotton fields when the flowering plants are destroyed or begin to dry up. Timely mowing of such areas can help reduce available 

hosts for plant bugs. Mow before cotton is established. Mowing after these weed hosts begin forming flower buds will only 

force plant bugs into nearby cotton. Wild geranium is an important spring host of tobacco budworms, and controlling it by mowing 

or displacing it with a non-host plant may help reduce tobacco budworm populations. Caution: do not spray field borders with 

insecticides. Such use is not labeled and may worsen pesticide resistance. 

Biological Control 

Mississippi cotton producers are fortunate to have a wide array of naturally occurring biological control agents that play an important 

role in managing pest populations. Collectively, these biological control agents are the main method of controlling cotton 

insect pests in Mississippi. Often the full economic value of these biological agents is not recognized or appreciated. Severe outbreaks 

resulting in high levels of crop loss or unusually high control costs seldom occur unless natural control has been disrupted. 

Profitable cotton production would not be possible in Mississippi without the help of these biological control agents. ese biological 

agents include predators such as big-eyed bugs, lady beetles, spiders, and minute pirate bugs; parasites such as Cardiochiles, a 

wasp that parasitizes tobacco budworms; and diseases such as the Neozygites fungal disease, which helps control aphid outbreaks. 

To gain the maximum economic benefit from the control provided by these natural control agents, growers need to know which 

species are beneficial, how to identify these species, which pests they attack, what factors enhance their usefulness, when they are 

most useful, and when they may not provide effective control. 

Predators and Parasites 

Predators and parasites can often prevent a pest population from reaching treatable levels, and the control they provide is often 

cheaper, better, and longer-lasting than that provided by insecticides. Be aware of population levels of naturally occurring predators 

and parasites and recognize that treatment thresholds can often be increased when predator and population levels are high. Certain 

cultural practices may favor populations of specific predators. (For example, reduced tillage encourages fire ants.) When insecticide 

treatment is necessary, choose treatments that have minimal impact on populations of certain beneficial insects but still control the 

target pest. 

Pathogens or Diseases 

Most species of insect pests are susceptible to one or more known diseases. In some cases, the impact of the disease is relatively 

subtle and slows population development. In other cases, the disease is quite dramatic, providing quick, almost total control of a 

pest population that has neared or exceeded damaging levels. Growers should be especially aware of these latter types of diseases because 

an outbreak of this type can eliminate the need for any insecticide treatment. Two examples of diseases of this type are the 

Neozygites fungal disease, which attacks cotton aphid populations, and a similar fungal disease, which attacks loopers. 

eradication 

When feasible, eradication of a pest can be a highly effective IPM tool. Eradication is seldom feasible for native pests, but it is 

sometimes possible to eradicate nonnative pests, such as the boll weevil. Since it invaded the state in the early 1900s, the boll weevil 

has been considered to be a “key pest” of cotton. is is because the early-season insecticide treatments that had to be applied to 

control boll weevils also destroyed beneficial insects and caused a flare-up of “secondary pests,” such as tobacco budworms and cotton 

aphids. Eradication of the boll weevil eliminates the yield losses and control costs that are directly caused by boll weevils. Eradication 

also eliminates yield losses and control costs from secondary pest problems that are caused by boll weevil control efforts. 

Currently, all cotton in Mississippi is considered weevil-free. • Promptly alert eradication personnel of any field detections 

of live boll weevils or weevil-punctured squares. 

Additional Information 

In addition to this publication, several other Extension publications on cotton insect biology and management are available at 

www.MSUcares.com or from your county Extension agent. 

Publication 1614—Pests, resholds, and the Cotton Plant 

Publication 1640—Cotton Insect ID Guide 

Publication 2294—e Boll Weevil in Mississippi: Gone but Not Forgotten 

Publication 2108—Insect Scouting and Management in Bt-Transgenic Cotton 

Publication 2302—Biology and Control of rips on Seedling Cotton 

Cotton Insect Situation Newsletters (call 662-325-2085 for information) 

MSU Cotton Entomology website: MSUcares.com/insects/cotton 

4 Crop Cotton Name

note: e scientific name of the cotton bollworm, formerly Heliothis zea, has been changed to Helicoverpa zea. However, in this 

guide the use of Heliothis or Heliothis spp. continues to refer to both cotton bollworms and tobacco budworms. 

Insecticide Resistance and Resistance Management 

Insecticide resistance is the increased tolerance to a particular insecticide by a pest population to the point the insecticide no longer 

controls effectively. is definition applies to insecticides delivered through transgenic crops as well as to foliar-applied insecticides. 

Resistance develops as a result of repeated or continuous exposure of a pest population to a particular insecticide or class of insecticides. 

Following an insecticide application, the death rate for susceptible insects is considerably higher than the death rate of resistant 

insects. e numbers of resistant insects increase, and the resistance genes are passed down to the next generation. If the 

same insecticide or class of insecticide is used against the next generation of pests, the level of resistance increases even more. At first 

the number of resistant individuals within a population may be really low — 1 in every 10,000 or more — and the pesticide is very 

effective. However, if you keep using the same insecticide or class of insecticides, the percent of the population made up of resistant 

insects increases. As a result, that pesticide or pesticide class becomes less efficient, and field failures begin to occur. 

High Cost of Resistance: Resistance is costly to cotton producers because it creates the need to increase insecticide rates, 

shorten treatment intervals, use expensive mixtures of insecticides, or use more costly alternative insecticides to maintain effective 

control. Reduced control means lower yield, which further reduces profits. Without effective treatment alternatives, outbreaks of 

resistant pests can result in disastrous levels of crop destruction. 

Resistance Management: Insecticide resistance management is a plan of insecticide use that limits exposure of a pest population 

to a particular class of insecticide chemistry in order to prolong the useful life of that insecticide or class of insecticides. It is 

important to note that the goal of resistance management is not necessarily to prevent resistance from ever occurring, but to slow 

the development of resistance. 

to be most effective, resistance management must be started before resistance is evident (while the frequency of resistance 

genes is very low) rather than after resistance is evident in the field (when the frequency of resistance is high). Because 

most cotton insects can readily move from farm to farm, resistance management efforts are most effective when all producers 

in a large geographic area practice them. 

With foliar insecticides, selection for resistance may occur whenever an insecticide is used, simply because the pests that survive 

exposure to the treatment are more likely to be resistant. After an insecticide has been applied, the proportion of the pest population 

that carries genes for resistance to that insecticide is higher. With foliar insecticides, you can delay resistance by not exposing 

successive generations of pests to insecticides from the same class. Rotating different classes of insecticides against different generations 

of pests is an effective resistance management tool because insects resistant to one class of chemistry are often susceptible to 

insecticides from a different class. is provides immediate benefits in terms of improved control and long-term benefits in terms of 

reduced selection for resistance. 

e risk of resistance developing to transgenic control methods is especially high because the toxicant is present throughout the 

life of the plant, and any target pests that attack the crop are subjected to selection for resistance. With transgenic crops, resistance 

can be delayed by limiting the planting of crops that express a particular insecticide and by planting significant acreage of nontransgenic 

crops close to the transgenic crops. e objective is to let nonresistant insects from the non-transgenic crops interbreed 

with any resistant insects that survive in the transgenic crop. 

In past years cotton growers have had difficulty effectively managing resistance because of the limited availability of effective alternative 

control tools. Mississippi growers are now very fortunate to have a wide array of tools available to control many of the 

most damaging pests. ese include boll weevil eradication, transgenic Bt cotton, and an impressive array of highly effective foliarapplied 

insecticides. By effectively using all of these tools and avoiding overuse of any single method of control, Mississippi cotton 

producers have a greater opportunity than ever before to practice resistance management effectively. 

Resistance Management Plan, Caterpillar Pests: Growers can optimize their ability to manage resistance to both Bt cotton 

and foliar-applied insecticides by observing the following precautions: 

1) Continue to support boll weevil eradication maintenance and take advantage of the benefits it offers in managing caterpillar 

pests. ese benefits include increased ability to rely on beneficial insects to suppress populations of caterpillar pests and an 

overall reduction in the number of foliar insecticide treatments required to control caterpillar pests. 

2) Plant the crop in a timely manner (April 15 to May 15 is the optimum planting window). Manage the crop to promote early 

maturity. 

3) Plant fields that historically experience heaviest tobacco budworm infestations to Bt varieties. 

4) Scout Bt fields for caterpillar pests and treat promptly with supplemental foliar insecticides if you detect damaging levels of 

caterpillar pests. 

5) When non-Bt fields require treatment for caterpillar pests, rotate use of different classes of foliar insecticides against different 

generations of pests. Do not use the same insecticide or class of insecticides on successive generations of pests. 

6) Stop insecticide applications as soon as the majority of the harvestable crop reaches maturity. 

Dual gene Bt Cottons (Bollgard II and Widestrike): Currently, the U.s. environmental Protection Agency does not require 

the planting of a non-Bt cotton refuge for plantings of Bollgard II and Widestrike. 

Crop Cotton Name 5

Resistance Management Plan, tarnished Plant Bugs and Cotton Aphids: 

1) When choosing insecticides for use at planting or as foliar sprays for early-season thrips control, avoid using products that will 

be used later to control cotton aphids. 

2) When choosing insecticides for use against aphids or plant bugs, avoid making repeated applications of the same insecticide or 

insecticides from the same class against following generations of pests. 

Responding to Control Failures 

Key considerations and responses following suspected insecticide failures: 

1) Don’t panic! Do not automatically assume that the presence of live insects following an insecticide application is the result of an 

insecticide failure. 

2) Examine the possible reasons that unsatisfactory control may have occurred. Control decisions should consider a wide range of 

variables that influence insecticide efficacy and damage potential: species complex, population density and age structure, application 

timing, insecticide dosage rate, application methods and carriers, treatment evaluation timing, need for multiple applications, 

environmental conditions, and levels of insecticide resistance. 

3) Under continuous pressure, multiple insecticide applications are required to reduce crop damage. Against high, sustained 

infestations, multiple close-interval (3 to 5 days) applications of recommended economical treatments are often more 

effective than applications of expensive mixtures at high rates applied at longer intervals. 

4) Selected combinations of insecticides are recommended to manage tobacco budworms at discrete time periods throughout the 

growing season. Do not use excessive rates of one or more insecticides in these mixtures. Using more than the recommended 

rate may not improve control. 

5) If a field failure is suspected to be due to insecticide resistance, do not reapply the same insecticide. Change to another class of 

insecticides or use mixtures of insecticides from different classes. 

6) Do not apply insecticides to control tobacco budworms beyond the time the major portion of the crop is resistant to insect 

damage. Protecting fruit that will not be harvested is not cost-effective and further selects for insecticide resistance. 

IMPoRtAnt: e following cotton insect control recommendations include treatment thresholds, insecticides, and suggested 

rates for specific pests. e recommendations are divided into three distinct sections based on stage of plant development 

(Emergence to First Square, First Square to First Bloom, and After First Bloom). Because important pests, thresholds, and control 

recommendations depend on stage of plant development, be sure you are referring to the proper section when using this guide. 

CAUtIon: Recommendations of specific insecticides are based on information on the manufacturer’s label and performance in a 

limited number of efficacy trials. Because levels of insecticide resistance, environmental conditions, and methods of application by 

growers may vary widely, insecticide performance will not always match the safety and pest control standards indicated by experimental 

data. 

Insecticides are listed alphabetically, not in order of their effectiveness. Effectiveness of a particular insecticide can vary greatly 

from field to field, depending on previous insecticide use, pest species, levels of resistance, and many other factors. Within a group 

of insecticides recommended for control of a specific pest, there is often considerable variability in cost, effectiveness against the primary 

target pest, and secondary pests controlled. When selecting insecticides, growers must consider each of these factors as well as 

the need to rotate among different insecticide classes for resistance management purposes. 

Classes of pesticides: Effective resistance management requires rotation among the various classes of available insecticide 

chemistry. Often when one insecticide in a class fails because of insecticide resistance, other insecticides in the same class will also 

be ineffective. Selection of an insecticide from a different class will improve the chances of obtaining control. Growers need to be 

very aware of the type of insecticide chemistry being used. Classes of insecticides recommended in this guide are identified by 

the following abbreviations: 

Avermectins – (AV) Chloro-nicotinyl – (CN) Organophosphate – (OP) Pyridine Carboxamide – (PC) 

Biologicals – (B) Insect Growth Regulators – (IGR) Oxadiazine – (OX) Spinosyns – (SPN) 

Carbamate – (C) Organochlorine – (OC) Pyrethroid – (P) Tetronic Acid – (TA) 

Diamides – (D) METI-Acaricides – (M) Propargite – (PG) Fungicide – (F) 

Sulfoxiimines – (SX) 

6 Crop Cotton Name

Planting 

1 st Square 

1 st Flower 

Peak Flower 

Imidacloprid seed treatment 

Do not spray 

(Dimethoate) 

Neonicotinoids 

Carbine 

Tarnished Plant Bug 


Diamond 

Transform 

Organophosphates 

OP + Pyrethroid 

OP + Diamond 

Organophosphates (OP) 

Neonicotinoids (CN) 

OP or CN + Pyrethroid 

OP or CN + Diamond 

Dimethoate 

Bidrin 

Neonicotinoids Tarnished Plant Bug 


Transform 

Carbine 

Thrips 

Aphids 

DO NOT USE OPs 

Prevathon, Besiege, Blackhawk, Steward, 

Radiant, Belt, etc. 

Bollworm/Tobacco Budworm 

DO NOT USE PYRETHROIDS 

BEFORE FIRST FLOWER 

Insecticide Rotation Strategy 

Cutout 

NAWF 5 + 350 HU 

(6 th Week of Bloom) 

DO NOT SPRAY 

Cotton 7

Thrips 

Insecticide 

Amount of 

Formulation per Acre 

Pounds Active 

Ingredient per Acre 

Acres 1 Gallon or 

1 Pound Dry Will Treat 

Comments 

In Furrow 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 

1.1 lb. 

1.0 

1 

Spray in drill. 

aldicarb (C) 

Temik 15 G 

3.5 – 5 lb. 

0.53 – 0.75 

– 

Hill dropped 2 to 4 lb./acre. 

imidacloprid (CN) 

Admire Pro 

7.4 – 9.2 oz. 

0.26 – 0.33 

17 – 14 

In-furrow spray directed on or below the seed. 

imidacloprid (N) + 

fluopyram (F) 

Velum Total 

14 – 18 oz. 

*0.24 – 0.31 

9 – 7 

*a.i. of imidacloprid in mix. 

seed treatments 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 

20 – 32 oz. 

– 

Per 100 lb. seed depending on seeding rate (Hopper box: 2.5 – 3.5 oz. 90S/Acre). 


Gaucho 600 

Aeris 

0.375 mg 

0.375 mg 

– 

– 

Per seed. Field tests and lab assays in 2015 indicate possible tolerance building to imidacloprid 

with tobacco thrips. 

Foliar treatments 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 

0.22 lb. 

0.2 

4.5 

Pyrethroids and acephate are not recommended for control of thrips. eir use at this time 

in the season will intensify insecticide resistance problems in tarnished plant bugs and increase 

the likelihood of flaring spider mites. 

dicrotophos (OP) 

Bidrin 8E 

3.2 oz. 

0.2 

40 

Bidrin may only be used before first square and after first bloom. 

dimethoate (OP) 

dimethoate 4EC 

6.4 oz. 

0.2 

20 

spinetoram (SPN) 

Radiant SC 

1.5 – 3 oz. 

0.012 – 0.021 

85 – 47 

Surfactant is recommended with this product. 

Cotton plants are most susceptible to injury from tHRIPs from emergence to the third or fourth leaf stage. Treatment for 

thrips is seldom necessary on plants that are beyond this stage. 

In-furrow insecticides can result in increased susceptibility to seedling diseases. Use a recommended fungicide when using 

in-furrow insecticide treatments. 

ese recommendations on in-furrow systemic materials are directed specifically toward insect control. Some in-furrow insecticides, 

such as aldicarb, also provide nematode control, but most in-furrow insecticides do not control nematodes. See publications 

about nematode control for information on controlling these non-insect pests. Where Nemacur 15G is used for nematode control, 

it will suppress thrips. 

CAUtIon: Several of the systemic thrips insecticides interact with some of the herbicides used on cotton and influence the 

cotton plants’ susceptibility to herbicide injury. For example, the organophosphate insecticides disulfoton (Di-Syston) and phorate 

(imet) are used to “safen” cotton to injury from the herbicide clomazone (Command); however, herbicides containing diuron or 

fluometuron should not be used on cotton treated with either disulfoton (Di-Syston) or phorate (imet) because of the potential 

for a phytotoxic interaction. 

tHResHoLD: Make foliar treatments if thrips numbers reach one per plant on seedling cotton with immatures present. 

8 Crop Cotton Name

Cutworms 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 




Comments 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 

0.88 lb. 

0.8 lb. 

1.14 

b-cyfluthrin (P) 

Baythroid XL 1E 

0.08 – 1.6 oz. 

0.007 – 0.013 

160 – 80 

bifenthrin (P) 

Brigade 2EC 

Discipline 2EC 

Fanfare 2EC 

2.6 – 6.4 oz. 

2.6 – 6.4 oz. 

2.6 – 6.4 oz. 

0.04 – 0.1 

0.04 – 0.1 

0.04 – 0.1 

49.2 – 20 

49.2 – 20 

49.2 – 20 

cypermethrin (P) 

Ammo 2.5EC 

1.28 oz. 

0.025 

100 

deltamethrin (P) 

Delta Gold 1.5EC 

1.1 – 1.6 oz. 

0.013 – 0.019 

116 – 79 

esfenvalerate (P) 

Asana XL 0.66EC 

5.8 oz. 

0.03 

22 

gamma-cyhalothrin (P) 

Declare 1.25 

0.77 – 1.02 oz. 

0.0075 – 0.01 

166 – 125 

λ-cyhalothrin (P) 

Karate Z 2.08CS 

1.28 – 1.96 oz. 

0.02 – 0.03 

100 – 66.7 

Z-cypermethrin (P) 

Mustang Max 0.8EC 

1.28 – 1.98 oz. 

0.008 – 0.012 

100 – 64.6 

In no-till or limited-till situations, CUtWoRMs may become established on existing vegetation and move to emerging cotton 

seedlings once this vegetation is killed. Risk of cutworm attack can be greatly reduced by destroying all existing vegetation 3 to 4 

weeks before planting. Treatment at planting may be warranted in situations where cutworms are already established and vegetation 

cannot be destroyed 3 to 4 weeks before planting. Pyrethroid insecticides are highly effective against cutworms and can be used in 

ground treatments applied at planting with limited risk of contributing to increased resistance in tobacco budworms. 

Bt Cotton: Bt cotton will not control cutworms. 

tHResHoLD: treat if cutworm infestations threaten to reduce stand below 35,000 plants/acre (3 plants/row foot) in a 

field or part of a field. Area considered is smallest area a producer will treat. Repeat treatment if needed. 

Crop Cotton Name 9

Plant Bugs 

and Fleahoppers 

Insecticide 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 

acetamiprid (CN) 

Strafer 70WP 

Amount of 


0.55 – 1.1 lb. 

3.0 – 3.5 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.5 – 1.0 



1.8 – 0.9 

16 – 7.5 

Comments 

Under heavy infestations, use highest labeled rates. 

Acephate - Not recommended for control of plant bugs before first bloom. After first 

bloom: 0.5 – 1.0 lb. ai/A 

Do not make more than two applications per season. 

bifenthrin (P), 

abamectin (AV) 

Athena 

8 – 17 oz 

0.13 – 0.15 

5.3 – 4.6 

bifenthrin (P) + 


Brigadier 

5.1 – 7.7 oz. 

25 – 17 

clothianidin (CN) 

Belay 2.13 

3 – 6 oz. 

0.05 – 0.1 

43 – 21 


Bidrin 8E 

4 – 8 oz. 

0.25 – 0.5 

32 – 16 

Bidrin may only be used before first square and after first bloom, with a minimum of 14 

days between applications. 

dicrotophos (OP) + 


Bidrin XPII 

8 – 12 oz. 

16 – 10 

Do not apply prior to bloom. 


Dimethoate 4EC 

8 – 16 oz. 

0.25 – 0.5 

16 – 8 

flonicamid (PC) 

Carbine 50WG 

1.7 – 2.8 oz. 

0.054 – 0.089 

9.4 – 5.7 


Admire Pro 4.6SC 

1.3 – 1.7 oz. 

0.047 – 0.062 

98 – 75 

imidacloprid (CN) + 


Leverage 360 EC 

2.8 – 3.2 oz. 

45 – 40 

malathion (OP) 

Fyfanon ULV 9.9C 

11.9 – 15.8 oz. 

0.92 – 1.22 

10.8 – 8.1 

novaluron (IGR) 

Diamond 0.83EC 

oxamyl (C) 

Vydate C-LV 3.77 

6 – 9 oz. 

11.2 – 17 oz. 

0.04 – 0.06 

0.33 – 0.5 

21.3 – 14.2 

11.4 – 7.5 

Novaluron (Diamond) acts only on immature plant bugs and should be tank-mixed with a 

labeled adulticide. Use of Diamond during the third week of squaring or peak migration of 

adult plant bugs into cotton has shown benefits in protecting yield. 

sulfoxaflor (SX) 

Transform WG 

1.5 – 2.25 oz. 

0.047 – 0.071 

10.7 – 7.1 

thiamethoxam (CN) 

Centric 40WG 

1.5 – 2.5 oz. 

0.0375 – 0.0625 

10.7 – 6.4 

thiamethoxam (CN) + 


Endigo ZC 

4 – 5.5 oz. 

32 – 23 

organophosphates tank-mixed with pyrethroids have proven to provide effective control of tarnished plant bugs after bloom. 

e sweep net is a very effective tool for monitoring adult PLAnt BUG populations, but the ground cloth is more effective for monitoring 

nymphs. orough scouting requires the use of both the sweep net and ground cloth. Visual scouting is a less reliable method of sampling for 

plant bugs. Before first bloom, sample fields twice weekly for plant bugs. Treat if populations exceed levels given for the specified growth stage. 

Mapping plants to determine percent square retention is an important part of monitoring before first bloom. Plants that are fruiting normally 

should retain at least 80 percent of the first and second position fruiting sites on the upper five branches. However, there are many factors 

besides plant bugs that can cause poor square retention. If you notice low square retention or a sudden decline in square retention, intensify sampling 

for plant bugs to determine if they are the cause. When square retention is lower than 80 percent before first bloom, plant bug thresholds 

should be lowered accordingly. Note: Research has shown that there is no benefit from maintaining excessively high square retention rates. (Plots 

with square retention rates in the range of 70 to 85 percent at first bloom often produce slightly higher yields than plots with higher retention 

rates.) Attempting to maintain excessively high early-season square retention rates through the use of additional insecticide treatments will result 

in increased costs and increased risks of secondary pest outbreaks. 

Avoid automatic/prophylactic-type treatments. 

After plants begin to bloom, effective use of the sweep net becomes difficult and more emphasis is placed on drop cloths. When visual 

scouting, examine randomly selected plant terminals for presence of adults or nymphs, and inside the bracts of squares, blooms, and small bolls 

for presence of nymphs. Drop cloths, black in color, remain very effective for detecting small nymphs throughout the season. 

“Dirty blooms,” blooms in which many of the anthers are dried and brown, are a sign of established infestations of plant bug nymphs feeding 

on larger squares. No threshold exists for percent dirty blooms, but if you find them, intensify visual scouting for plant bugs. 

Some pyrethroids act against plant bugs and, when applied against budworms/bollworms as the primary target, provide control of low to 

moderate levels of plant bugs. Do not assume that treatments targeting budworms/bollworms will always provide effective control of plant bugs. 

Resistance to both pyrethroids and organophosphates has been documented in populations of plant bugs at some locations. Because of insecticide 

resistance and/or difficulty obtaining adequate coverage in larger cotton, a single application of insecticide may not effectively control heavy 

established populations of plant bugs. 

10 Crop Cotton Name

Plant bug populations are often highest along field borders. is is especially true for field borders next to maturing fields of corn, sorghum, 

or early-maturing soybeans. In such situations it is often helpful to scout and manage such field borders separately from the remainder of the 

crop. Such areas may require spot treatments that are not needed on the remainder of the field. 

tHResHoLDs: Clouded Plant Bugs: Tarnished plant bug thresholds can be used for clouded plant bugs, but clouded plant bugs should be 

counted 1.5 times when using sweep net. emergence to first square: Treat if you find one plant-bug-flagged plant and one or more plant bugs 

per 10 row feet. Multiple applications applied at 4- to 5-day intervals may be required in such cases. 

First 2 weeks of squaring: Drop Cloth: 1 plant bug/6 row ft Visual: 5 bugs/100 terminals sweep net: 8 bugs/100 sweeps 

ird week of squaring through bloom: Drop Cloth: 3 bugs/6 row ft Visual: 10 bugs/100 plants sweep net: 15 bugs/100 sweeps 

Dirty squares: 10% dirty squares (medium-sized squares with exposed buds that have been discolored yellow by plant bug feeding) 

Bollworms 

and 

Budworms 

Insecticide 

ovicides: 

methomyl (C) 

Lannate 2.4LV 

Foliar Larvicides: 

chlorantraniliprole (D) 

Prevathon 0.43 

Amount of 


13.3 oz. 

14 – 27 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.25 

0.047 – 0.09 



9.7 

9 – 4.7 

Comments 

Lannate - A minimum of 10 days should elapse between 0.45 lb. methomyl (Lannate) applications. e lower 

rate of methomyl (0.25-0.33 lb.) may be applied as needed. If reddening of leaves is excessive, stop using the 

combination or alternate with other insecticides. 

For Heliothine control (cotton bollworms and/or tobacco budworms), make the first application at rates of 

.066 – .088 lb. ai per acre. Later applications can be at rates of .044 – .088 lb. ai per acre, depending on pest 

pressure. 

flubendiamide (D) 

Belt 4SC 

2 – 3 oz. 

0.0625 – 0.09375 

64 – 42.7 

Do not apply more than 3 oz. per 5-day interval. Do not apply more than three times per crop season. 

indoxacarb (OX) 

Steward 1.25EC 

9.2 – 11.3 oz. 

0.09 – 0.11 

14 – 11.3 

λ-cyhalothrin (P), 


Besiege 

6.5 – 12.5 oz. 

20 – 10 

21 days PHI. 

methomyl (C) 

Lannate 2.4LV 

24 oz. 

0.45 

5.3 

methoxfenozide (IGR) + 


Intrepid Edge 

4 – 8 oz. 

32 – 16 

Do not exceed 12 oz. per year. 


Radiant SC 

2.8 – 8 oz. 

0.022 – 0.0625 

46 – 16 

spinosad (SPN) 

Blackhawk 

1.6 – 3.2 oz. 

0.036 – 0.072 

80 – 40 

Pyrethroid insecticides are not recommended for control of cotton bollworms or tobacco budworms in Mississippi due to widespread resistance and control failures. However, used as an ovicide in Bt cottons, 

it provides marginal control. see individual product labels for information. 

Infestations of BoLLWoRMs AnD toBACCo BUDWoRMs may occur together anytime in the growing season, but these two insects are difficult 

to distinguish from one another as small larvae. Infestations of small larvae may be mostly bollworms, mostly tobacco budworms, or some combination 

of the two. Knowing which is the primary species present can greatly influence choice and costs of treatments. Information obtained from moth 

flushing counts or pheromone trap counts may help you estimate the species composition of an infestation and make treatment choices. 

Bt Cotton: Bt-transgenic cotton primarily targets control of tobacco budworms and bollworms and should initially provide good to excellent control 

of these pests. However, high populations, especially high populations of bollworms, may require treatment in some situations. Bollworms are less 

susceptible to Bt cotton than are tobacco budworms. Intensify scouting of Bt cotton when high numbers of bollworm moths are present. Scout for larvae 

in blooms, bolls, and terminal area. 

Dual toxin Bt Cotton: Varieties of Bt cotton that express two Bt toxins are more effective against bollworms than are single toxin Bt cottons. ey 

may still require supplemental treatments because of unusually high insect populations or compromised toxin expression. 

CAUtIon: Transgenic Bt cotton is available in several varieties. Efficacy of Bt cotton may vary, depending on seed source and variety. 

If insecticide resistance is thought to be the cause of a treatment failure, switch to another chemistry immediately. Do not re-treat with a 

second application of the same class of material. 

tHResHoLDs: Before bloom: Treat when population reaches or exceeds 8 larvae/100 plants. After bloom: Treat when counts reach or exceed 4 

larvae/100 plants. After cutout: Treat when counts reach or exceed 8 larvae/100 plants. Apply treatments before larvae are a half-inch long. 

Bt cotton: Larvae/acre thresholds for Bt cotton are the same as for non-Bt cotton. However, damaged fruit or boll count thresholds are also considered. 

Before bloom: Treat when damaged fruit counts exceed 5 percent or the number of larvae about one-eighthinch long exceeds 8 larvae/100 plants. After 

bloom: Treat when larvae one-eighth inch long or longer exceed 4 larvae/100 plants (or 8 larvae/100 plants after “cutout”). Regardless of size of larvae, 

treatment may be warranted if damaged-boll counts exceed 2 percent and significant numbers of larvae are present and continuing to cause damage. 

Crop Cotton Name 11

Aphids 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active Acres 1 Gallon or 

Ingredient per Acre 1 Pound Dry Will Treat 

Comments 


Strafer WPS 

3.0 – 3.5 oz. 

0.13 – 0.15 

5.3 – 4.6 

Do not make more than two applications per season. 


Bidrin 8E 

4.8 – 8 oz. 

0.30 – 0.50 

26.7 – 16 

Aphids may be resistant to dicrotophos in some areas of Mississippi. 


Carbine 50WG 

1.4 – 2.8 oz. 

0.044 – 0.089 

11.4 – 5.7 


Admire Pro 4.6SC 


Transform WG 

0.9 – 1.7 oz. 

0.75 – 1 oz. 

0.032 – 0.062 

0.023 – 0.031 

142 – 75 

21.3 – 16 

Admire Pro - Two applications of Admire Pro applied at a 7- to 10-day interval may be 

needed to achieve control of heavy aphid infestations. Admire Pro may not provide adequate 

control if cotton is under stress from heat, drought, diseases, extreme pest pressure, 

or when cotton “hardens off” as it begins to mature. 


Centric 40WG 

2 oz. 

0.05 

8 

ere are some areas in Mississippi where aphids may not be controlled with Centric. 

In some areas, APHIDs may be resistant to some labeled insecticides. e impact of aphids on yield varies greatly, depending on a variety of factors, 

including number of aphids, duration of infestation, and presence of other stress factors such as drought. In some cases, relatively high populations 

caused no yield loss. In other cases, research has shown that untreated infestations that peaked as low as 35 aphids per leaf caused yield losses of approximately 

45 pounds of lint. Higher yield losses have been recorded from heavier, more prolonged infestations. 

Before treating aphids between first square and first bloom, consider ability to obtain control and potential impact on other pest populations, such 

as the tobacco budworm and beet armyworm. 

Efficacy of various recommended chemicals varies by location; therefore, it is advisable to seek current information about what is working locally. 

(Talk to county Extension agents, Extension specialists, consultants, neighbors, and others.) When selecting aphicides, consider which classes of materials 

were used on the field earlier during the season, including in-furrow treatments. An aphicide from the least commonly used class may provide best control. 

Control may be improved by making a second application 4 to 7 days after the initial treatment. Rotating classes of insecticide chemistry used may 

enhance control. 

tHResHoLDs: Consider treatment when spots of high aphid populations are causing heavy localized honeydew accumulation, aphid numbers 

are increasing over the remainder of the field, and no signs of diseased aphids are present. Under heavy infestations, use highest labeled 

rates. Important factors to consider before treatment include the following: 1) possibility of a fungal epizootic that will likely occur under high 

aphid infestation (this usually occurs in early- to mid-July); 2) possibility of control failure with recommended insecticides (control must exceed 

80 percent to give benefit); 3) predator and parasite populations that may suppress aphids; 4) presence of additional plant stress factors, such as 

drought or low plant vigor; 5) need to apply insecticide for control of other pests. 

treatment may be beneficial in avoiding yield reduction when the following conditions exist together: 1) isolated spots occur through the 

field where heavy aphid infestations cause honeydew-coated plants; 2) aphid numbers are increasing on remaining plants throughout the field; 

and 3) no indication of aphid fungal disease is present. 

When treating aphids, try to get good coverage, particularly to undersides of leaves. 

Spider 

Mites 

Insecticide 


Agri-Mek 0.15EC 

Agri-Mek 0.7SC 


Brigade 2EC 


Fanfare 2EC 



Athena 

etoxazole (IGR) 

Zeal 72WSP 

fenpyroximate (M) 

Portal 0.4EC 

propargite (PG) 

Comite II 6EC 

spiromesifen (TA) 

Oberon 4SC 

Amount of 


10.0 – 16 oz. 

2 – 3.5 oz. 

6.4 oz. 

6.4 oz. 

6.4 oz. 

8 – 17 oz. 

0.67 – 1 oz. 

12 – 32 oz. 

20 – 36 oz. 

3 – 8 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.12 – 0.15 

0.12 – 0.15 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.03 – 0.045 

0.4 – 0.1 

0.94 – 1.68 

0.94 – 0.25 



13 – 5 

64 – 37 

20 

20 

20 

16 – 7.5 

23.88 – 16 

10 – 4 

6.4 – 3.55 

42.7 – 16 

Comments 

Resistance reported with abamectin in Mississippi and Louisiana. 

When using bifenthrin, you’ll often need to repeat applications on a 5- to 7- day interval. 

Bifenthrin has performed more consistently on spider mites mid- to late-season. 

sPIDeR MIte populations often increase during hot and dry conditions. Spider mites often develop around field borders and ditch banks. Henbit and 

other winter annuals can serve as hosts for spider mites. Removal of winter annuals well in advance of planting may reduce risk of spider mite infestation. 

note: If mites are present in the field, applications of acephate and pyrethroids (except bifenthrin) can flare mites when targeting other pests. 

*Lower product rates should be used only in early season. Always read the label. Many miticides are restricted to one to two applications per year. 

tHResHoLDs: treatment is essential when 40 to 50 percent or more of plants are infested and populations are increasing. 

12 Crop Cotton Name

Loopers 

Insecticide 


Prevathon 0.43 

Amount of 


14 – 27 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.047 – 0.09 



9 – 4.7 

Comments 

Labeled as suppression only for soybean loopers. 


Belt 4SC 

2 – 3 oz. 

0.06 – 0.09 

42.6 – 64 

Do not apply more than 3 oz. per 5-day interval. Do not apply more than three times per 

crop season. 



9.22 – 11.26 oz. 

0.09 – 0.11 

13.88 – 11.37 



Besiege 

10 – 12.5 oz. 

12 – 10 

21 days PHI. 

methoxyfenozide (IGR) 

Intrepid 2F 

4 – 10 oz. 

0.0625 – 0.16 

32 – 12.8 


+ spinetoram (SPN) 

Intrepid Edge 

6 – 8 oz. 

21 – 16 



Blackhawk 

2.4 – 3.2 oz. 

0.054 – 0.072 

32 – 12.8 

Two species of LooPeRs (cabbage loopers and soybean loopers) occur in cotton. ese insects differ in their susceptibility to 

insecticides and diseases. 

Dualtoxin Bt Cotton: Varieties of Bt cotton that express two Bt toxins are considerably more effective against loopers than are 

single-toxin Bt cottons. ey may still require supplemental treatments because of unusually high insect populations or compromised 

toxin expression. 

tHResHoLD: treat only when populations threaten premature defoliation. 

Beet 

Armyworms 

Insecticide 


Prevathon 0.43SC 

Amount of 


14 – 27 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.047 – 0.09 



9 – 4.7 

Comments 


Belt 4SC 

2 oz. 

0.0625 

64 



9.22 – 11.26 oz. 

0.09 – 0.11 

13.88 – 11.37 



Besiege 

6.5 – 12.5 oz. 

20 – 10 

21 days PHI. 


Intrepid 2F 

4 – 10 oz. 

0.0625 – 0.16 

32 – 12.8 



Intrepid Edge 

4 – 8 oz. 

32- –16 



Blackhawk 

2.4 – 3.2 oz. 

0.054 – 0.072 

53 – 40 

Production of an early crop and preservation of beneficial insects are the most important factors in reducing risks of Beet ARMy- 

WoRM (BAW) outbreaks. Certain organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides are particularly damaging to the beneficial insects that 

help control BAW. Prior to bloom, use short residual organophosphates and other nonpyrethroid materials only when necessary to control 

other pests. Reserve use of pyrethroids until midseason in order to help minimize reliance on organophosphates at this time. Established 

populations of BAW can be difficult and expensive to control. Late-season foliage-feeders cause less damage than do midseason fruit-feeders. 

Cotton nearing maturity can tolerate relatively higher populations without losing yield. When treating BAW, multiple, close-interval 

applications (3 to 5 days) may be needed against high populations. Apply treatments against hatching to one-fourth inch long larvae. Maximize 

coverage to undersides of leaves. Increasing spray volume and pressure may improve control when treating by ground. 

tHResHoLD: During early to mid-season, if beneficial insect numbers are low and risk factors favorable to development of BAW 

outbreaks are present, initiate treatment at two to five “hits” (egg masses and/or clusters of small larvae) per 100 feet of row. treatment 

thresholds vary greatly depending on time of year and stage of crop when BAW outbreaks occur, plant parts being attacked, 

and presence or absence of other predisposing factors. 

Crop Cotton Name 13

Fall 

Armyworms 

Insecticide 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 



Amount of 


1.1 lb. 

14 – 27 oz. 

Pounds Active 


1.0 

0.047 – 0.09 



0.9 

9 – 4.7 

Comments 

Some pyrethroids may help suppress fall armyworms when applied against newly hatched 

larvae. 

e growth regulator diflubenzuron (Dimilin) may also be useful in suppressing developing 

fall armyworm populations (use rate is 0.0625-0.125 lb. ai/a). 


Belt 4SC 

2 oz. 

0.0625 

64 



9.22 – 11.26 oz. 

0.09 – 0.11 

13.88 – 11.37 

Do not apply more than 3 oz. per 5-day interval. Do not apply more than three times per 

crop season. 



Besiege 

6.5 – 12.5 oz. 

20 – 10 

21 days PHI. 

methomyl (C) 

Lannate 2.4LV 

24 oz. 

0.45 

5.33 

A minimum of 10 days should elapse between 0.45 lb. methomyl (Lannate) applications. 

e lower rate of methomyl (0.25 – 0.33 lb.) may be applied as needed. If reddening of 

leaves is excessive, stop using the combination or alternate with other insecticides. 


Intrepid 2F 

6 – 10 oz. 

0.09 – 0.16 

21.3 – 12.8 



Intrepid Edge 

4 – 8 oz. 

32 – 16 




6 – 9 oz. 

0.04 – 0.08 

21.3 – 14.2 


Blackhawk 

2.4 – 3.2 oz. 

0.054 – 0.072 

53 – 40 

Dual toxin Bt Cotton: Varieties of Bt cotton that express two Bt toxins are considerably more effective against fall armyworms than 

are single-toxin Bt cottons but may still require supplemental treatments because of unusually high insect populations or compromised 

toxin expression. 

tHResHoLD: treat when you find four or more worms per 100 blooms and/or bolls. time applications against young larvae 

and maximize coverage deep within the plant canopy by increasing spray volume and pressure. 

Bandedwinged 

Whiteflies 

Insecticide 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 

spiromesifen (TA) 

Oberon 4SC 


Centric 40WG 

Amount of 


0.56 – 1.1 lb. 

2 – 8 oz. 

2 – 2.5 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.5 – 1.0 

0.94 – 0.25 

0.05 – 0.0625 



1.8 – 0.9 

42.7 – 16 

8 – 6.4 

Comments 

Large populations can reduce yield and affect quality. 

orough coverage of foliage is necessary for adequate control. 

Whiteflies can be difficult to control and can rebound quickly following treatment. Two to 

three applications at approximately 5-day intervals are usually necessary to control heavy 

infestations. 

tHResHoLD: Apply control when 50 percent or more of the terminals are infested with adults. 

Silver Leaf 

Whiteflies 

Insecticide 


Strafer 70WPS 

Amount of 


3.0 – 3.5 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.075 – 0.1 



5 – 4.6 

Comments 

Begin applications prior to nymphal development. 

pyriproxyfen 

formulation (IGR) 

Knack 0.86 

8.04 – 9.97 oz. 

0.054 – 0.067 

15.92 – 12.84 

When using non-IGR type treatments, you must make repeated applications at 5-day 

intervals. 

Infestations of sILVeR WHIteFLIes are uncommon but are most likely to occur on cotton grown close to nursery crops or greenhouses. 

Heavy, prolonged infestations can cause substantial yield loss. is insect is difficult and costly to control. 

tHResHoLD: Apply control when 50 percent or more of the terminals are infested with adults. 

14 Crop Cotton Name

Stink Bugs 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 




Comments 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 

0.83 – 1.1 lb. 

0.75 – 1.0 

1.2 – 0.9 


Baythroid XL1E 

1.6 – 2.62 oz. 

0.0125 – 0.0205 

80 – 49.2 


Brigade 2EC 


Fanfare 2EC 

3.84 – 6.4 oz. 

3.84 – 6.4 oz. 

3.84 – 6.4 oz. 

0.06 – 0.10 

0.06 – 0.10 

0.06 – 0.10 

33.7 – 20 

33.7 – 20 

33.7 – 20 



Athena 

8 – 17 oz. 

16 – 7.5 



Brigadier 

5.1 – 7.7 oz. 

25 – 16.6 



Hero 1.24 

5.2 – 10.3 oz. 

24.6 – 12.4 


Bidrin 8E 

6.4 – 8 oz. 

0.4 – 0.5 

20 – 16 

Bidrin may only be used before first square and after first bloom, with a minimum of 14 

days between applications. 

dicrotophos (OP) + 


Bidrin XPII 

8 – 17 oz. 

16 – 7.5 

Do not apply prior to bloom. 


Declare 1.25EC 

1.28 – 2.05 oz. 

0.0125 – 0.02 

100 – 62.4 



Leverage 360EC 

2.8 – 3.2 oz. 

45 – 40 



1.54 – 1.85 oz. 

0.025 – 0.03 

83.2 – 69.3 



Besiege 

6.5 – 12.5 oz. 

20 – 10 



Endigo ZC 

4 – 5.5 oz. 

32 – 23.3 



2.64 – 3.6 oz. 

0.0165 – 0.0225 

49.2 – 35.6 

Pyrethroid insecticides are less effective against brown stink bug species. 

stInK BUGs usually appear in late season but sometimes occur earlier. ese insects feed on squares, blooms, and bolls, but 

most damage is concentrated on young bolls. High numbers of stink bugs can develop in crops such as corn, sorghum, or early maturing 

soybeans and then migrate into nearby cotton during late season. Intensify scouting for stink bugs when nearby alternative 

hosts begin to mature. Scout for stink bugs by randomly pulling and cracking soft, quarter-sized bolls and checking for internal 

signs of stink bug feeding injury (stained lint, pierced areas or warts on internal boll walls, or damaged seed). 

CAUtIon: Spined soldier bugs are beneficial stink bugs that sometimes occur in high numbers in fields infested with caterpillar 

pests. ese beneficial insects are often mistaken for brown stink bugs. Be sure of species identification before treating. Stink 

bugs are difficult to detect. Supplement by scouting for damaged bolls. 

Bt Cotton: Stink bugs and clouded plant bugs are more likely to occur in Bt cotton because of the reduction in mid- to lateseason 

treatments targeting budworms/bollworms. Intensify scouting for these pests in Bt cotton. 

tHResHoLDs: Visual: Average of five or more adults and/or nymphs (one-fourth inch or greater) per 100 plants. Ground 

Cloth: Average of one bug per 6 feet of row (one-fourth inch or greater). Damaged Bolls: treat when 15 to 20 percent or 

more of the soft, quarter-sized bolls show internal signs of stink bug feeding (damaged seed, stained lint, pierced areas or 

warts on internal boll walls) and stink bugs are present. 

Boll 

Weevils 

Contact boll weevil eradication personnel immediately to report any fields where you find live boll weevils 

or squares with boll weevil oviposition punctures! 

Crop Cotton Name 15

terminating Insecticide Applications 

In a normal, healthy crop, “cutout” is the point when Node Above White Flower averages 5 (NAWF = 5). In other words, 

cutout is the point when terminal growth slows to the point that the first position white flower is at the fifth node below the first 

“unfurled” leaf in the terminal. An unfurled leaf is about the size of a quarter. Sample at least ten plants per site from four representative 

sites per field to determine average NAWF. Begin monitoring NAWF at weekly intervals shortly after first bloom. 

Shift to twice weekly monitoring as NAWF counts begin to decline toward five. Begin monitoring daily heat unit (DD60s) accumulation 

on the day the crop reaches NAWF = 5. 

Recent research has shown that growth and development in a normal, healthy crop are such that the last population of bolls 

that will effectively contribute to yield will be represented by those white blooms that are present at cutout (when the crop reaches 

NAWF = 5). Research has also shown that when these bolls accumulate 350 to 400 heat units (HU), or DD60s, they have a low 

probability of sustaining economic damage from tarnished plant bugs (nymphs or adults) or from budworm/bollworm larvae 

that emerge after this point. erefore, control of tarnished plant bugs and budworms/bollworms can generally be terminated at 

nAWF = 5 + 350-400 HU (DD60s). Note, however, that threshold populations of larvae hatching before this point in the development 

of the crop should be controlled. Also note that this guideline for terminating insecticide treatments applies primarily to 

bollworms and tobacco budworms and tarnished plant bugs. 

Control of stinkbugs can be terminated at nAWF = 5 + 450 HU. 

Control of fall armyworms can be terminated at nAWF = 5 + 500-550 HU. 

Leaves help bolls mature, so protect the crop from excessive defoliation from pests such as loopers beyond the point of NAWF 

= 5 + 350 - 400 HUs. 

note: is technique for deciding when to end cotton insect control has not been tested under all weather and crop conditions, 

especially where early stress or insect damage results in poor square set or any other condition that causes late maturity. Growers 

and consultants must monitor crop maturity and insect populations carefully on a field by field basis and use all available information 

on crop development and status to decide when to end insecticide treatments. Ask your Extension entomologist or county 

Extension agent for more about how to use this technique. 

Supplemental Information 

estimating plants/acre, squares/acre, bolls/acre, etc: 

An acre of land is 43,560 square feet. If the crop is planted on 40-inch row centers, there are about 13,070 linear row feet on an 

acre. If crop is planted on 38-inch row centers, there are about 13,760 linear row feet on an acre. e following technique for estimating 

numbers of plants (and others) per acre involves making total counts on about 1/1,000 of an acre. Choose four 40-inch 

lengths of row from four different locations in the field. Count all plants, etc., on these 40-inch units. Add together the individual 

counts and multiply by 1,000. is gives an estimate of the number of plants, squares, etc., per acre. 

Insect pests to expect at different stages of plant development: 

Based on historical data, the following pests could be expected at different stages of plant development. is is a generalized statement; 

your conditions may be different. 

stage of Plant Development Major Pests occasional Pests 

emergence to fourth true leaf thrips aphids, cutworms, armyworms, saltmarsh caterpillars, grasshoppers, spider mites 

fourth true leaf to first square none plant bugs, spider mites, aphids, armyworms, saltmarsh caterpillars, grasshoppers 

first square to first bloom bollworms, plant bugs, tobacco budworms spider mites, aphids, fleahoppers, armyworms 

after first bloom bollworms, tobacco budworms aphids, whiteflies, plant bugs, beet armyworms, loopers, spider mites, fall armyworms, stink bugs 

16 Crop Cotton Name

Figures 1-12. From left, eastern, western, and tobacco thrips (1), thrips injury (2), cotton aphid (3), cotton aphid infestation 

(4), cotton aphid damage (5), bandedwinged whitefly (6), cotton fleahopper (7), garden fleahopper (8), garden fleahopper 

damage (9), threecornered alfalfa hopper nymph (10), threecornered alfalfa hopper adult (11), threecornered alfalfa hopper 

damage(12). 

Crop Cotton Name 17

Figures 13-24. twospotted spider mites (13), twospotted spider mite leaf damage (14), twospotted spider mite severe damage 

in field (15), tarnished plant bug nymph (16), tarnished plant bug adult (17), tarnished plant bug “blasted square” (18), 

tarnished plant bug dirty square (19), tarnished plant bug dirty bloom (20), clouded plant bug nymph (21), clouded plant 

bug adult (22), brown stink bug nymph (23), brown stink bug adult (24). 

18 Cotton

Figures 25-36. Green stink bug nymph (25), green stink bug adult (26), southern green stink bug nymph (27), southern 

green stink bug adult (28), stink bug egg mass hatching (29), stink bug external boll damage (30), stink bug internal boll 

damage (31), leaf footed bug (32), false chinch bug (33), false chinch bug wilting cotton plant (34), flea beetle (35), flea beetle 

damage (36). 

Cotton 19

Figures 37-48. Boll weevil (37), vegetable weevil (38), vegetable weevil damage (39), bollworm egg on bloom tag (40), 

bollworm larva (41), bollworm moth (42), bollworm damaged square (43), bollworm in pink bloom (44), tobacco budworm 

moth (45), black cutworm larva (46), granulate cutworm larva (47), beet armyworm (48). 

20 Cotton

Figures 49-60. Beet armyworm damage (49), armyworm egg mass (50), fall armyworm on square (51), fall armyworm bract 

etching (52), southern armyworm larva (53), yellowstriped armyworm larva (54), soybean looper larva (55), saltmarsh caterpillar 

egg mass (56), saltmarsh caterpillar larva (57), cotton square borer larva (58), slug (59), slug damage (60). 

Cotton 21

SOYBEAN INSECT MANAGEMENT 

Variety selection/Cultural Practices 

Currently available varieties of soybeans differ in growth characteristics and the time required for maturity. Variety characteristics can affect susceptibility 

to insect injury. For example, early-maturing varieties are less likely to be seriously damaged by soybean loopers or velvetbean caterpillars 

because they often mature before late-season generations of the pests occur. Also, varieties with little pubescence (hairs) on the undersides of leaves are 

susceptible to potato leafhopper infestations. 

Maturity differences can be used to manage some insect pests. For example, planting about 5 percent of the soybean acreage in an area 10 to 14 

days earlier than the remainder of the crop will concentrate overwintering bean leaf beetles into these earlier plantings. e early-planted soybeans 

serve as a trap crop for the adults, and a relatively small amount of insecticide can then be used to prevent their spread into later-planted soybeans. If 

early-maturing varieties are planted as the trap crop, they will also act as a trap crop for stink bugs during pod development. 

Soybeans that do not have a closed canopy at the time of bloom, as often occurs in late plantings and wider row spacings, are more susceptible to 

bollworm infestations. No-till soybeans are at greater risk to cutworm damage than conventionally tilled soybeans. 

e performance of many soybean varieties is tested every year in Mississippi at several locations. e information is published annually as a Mississippi 

Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) Information Bulletin – Soybean Variety Trials. 


Diseases – In mid- to late-season, naturally occurring diseases (fungi, bacteria, and viruses) of soybean insect pests can be important in control. A 

full leaf canopy, along with certain environmental conditions, apparently produces a microclimate favorable for insect disease development. Diseases often 

control armyworms, velvetbean caterpillars, green cloverworms, and soybean loopers. After diseased larvae have died, they may have a whitish mold-like 

growth covering their body surface, a black coloration with their bodies filled with fluid, or a near normal appearance (depending on the disease). 

e presence of diseased worms indicates the population is being reduced naturally. When you find diseased larvae, withhold treatment for a few 

days to see if the disease will spread to a level that can control the population. 

Predators and Parasites – Beneficial predators and parasites are very important in reducing the number of early-season insect pests. For this reason 

you should protect them to have their full benefit. Predators and parasites can often keep pests from reaching treatable levels. Some early-season 

insecticide applications to soybeans can severely reduce predators and parasites. Regular scouting of fields is essential in detecting insect pests as well 

as beneficials. 

sampling for soybean Insects 

To minimize yield loss from insect pests attacking soybeans, you should sample fields at least once per week from emergence through maturity. 

ere are several ways to sample soybeans for insect pests. e ground cloth and the sweep net are the two primary tools. Information you get by 

using either one of these sampling methods should be supplemented by visual examinations of plants for damage or insects. 

Ground cloth – e ground cloth is the most accurate method for sampling insect pests in soybeans. A ground cloth is made of heavy white 

cloth 3 feet long on each side with a half-inch to three-fourths inch dowel rod attached to each side. To use the ground cloth, you unroll it flat between 

two rows, then bend the plants on either side over the cloth, and shake them vigorously. e dislodged insects fall onto the cloth, where you 

can easily count them. You should count any insect that has fallen at the base of the plant to the soil surface. is gives the number of insects per 6 

feet of row (3 feet on each side of the cloth). Dividing by 6 gives the number of insects per foot of row. 

Most soybean producers in Mississippi have changed their production practice from wide-row to narrow-row or drilled soybeans. Soybeans 

planted on narrow rows are difficult to sample using a ground cloth. In narrow-row soybeans, a sweep net is the preferred method for sampling. 

sweep net – A sweep net is a heavy cloth or canvas net on a strong 15-inch diameter steel hoop attached to a 3-foot wooden handle. To use it, 

you walk parallel to a row and swing the net briskly through the top third of the foliage. Each pass of the net through the foliage counts as one sweep 

and should be made 2 1 ⁄2 to 3 feet apart down the row. Be sure to hold the net at an angle that lets dislodged insects fall into the net bag, and pass the 

net completely through the row. In soybeans planted on 36-inch rows or wider, sweep only one row. In narrow-row soybeans, let the normal arch of a 

sweep continue through the adjacent row. en count insects as they are picked or fly from the net. Counts are usually expressed as number per 25 or 

100 sweeps. 

When to Apply Insecticides for stem Feeders 

e three most common stem-feeding pests are lesser cornstalk borers, cutworms, and three-cornered alfalfa hoppers. Apply insecticide from 

plant emergence to 10 inches in height when plant stand is being reduced below recommended plant populations. Use Table 1 on page 33 to determine 

best plant populations for soybeans grown in Mississippi. 

Classes of insecticides: Effective resistance management requires rotation among the various classes of available insecticide chemistry. Often when 

one insecticide in a class fails because of insecticide resistance, other insecticides in the same class will also be ineffective. Selection of an insecticide 

from a different class will improve the chances of obtaining control. Growers need to be very aware of the type of insecticide chemistry being 

used. Classes of insecticides recommended in this guide are identified by the following abbreviations: 




Diamides – (D) METI-Acaricides – (M) 

22 Soybeans

When to Apply Insecticides for Foliage Feeders 

Soybean plants can withstand as much as 35 percent foliage loss up to the blooming period. During blooming and when pods begin to 

form and fill out, any foliage loss of more than 20 percent will decrease yield. After the soybeans are mature and pods have fully expanded, a 

35 percent loss of foliage will not usually reduce yield. Once fruiting begins, the soybean plant does not add new leaves, although existing 

leaves may expand. If plants are near the fruiting stage, don’t let more foliage be removed if that will cause total defoliation to be more than 

20 percent in pod-set or pod-filling. 

It requires four or more foliage-feeding larvae one-half inch long or longer per foot of row to cause 20 percent defoliation. It requires 

eight or more foliage-feeding larvae one-half inch long or longer per foot of row to cause 35 percent defoliation. Apply insecticides when larval 

populations are at or above the number required to cause defoliation levels listed for the developmental stage of the plants. Apply insecticide 

if these defoliation levels have already occurred and larvae are still present. 

Often several species of foliage-feeding caterpillars will be in a field at the same time. When several species of foliage-feeding caterpillars 

are present, treatment is necessary if any combination of foliage-feeding caterpillars meets or exceeds the threshold. Foliage-feeding caterpillars 

such as loopers, velvetbean caterpillars, and green cloverworms consume roughly the same amount of foliage per caterpillar regardless of 

species. However, the sweep net conversion ratio is about two times higher for velvetbean caterpillars and green cloverworms than for loopers 

because they are dislodged from the plant easier than loopers, making the catch efficiency of the sweep net greater for these two pests. Because 

of this, for a complex of foliage-feeding caterpillars, use a threshold of 300 caterpillars/100 sweeps before bloom, counting each looper 

twice, and 150 caterpillars/100 sweeps after bloom, counting each looper twice. 

Bean Leaf 

Beetles 

adult 

larva 

Insecticide 

acephate (OP) 

Amount of Formulation 

per Acre 

Pounds Active 




Orthene 90S 0.83 – 1.1 lb. 0.75 – 1.0 1.2 – 0.9 


Baythroid XL 1EC 1.6 – 2.8 oz. 0.0125 – 0.22 80 – 45.5 


Comments 

Do not harvest for hay or forage. Do not apply within 

14 days of harvest. Apply by air at 5-10 GPA and by 

ground at 10-50 GPA. Maximum AI per acre per season: 

1.5 lb. 

Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Do 

not feed green forage within 15 days of harvest. Preharvest 

interval: 45 days. Maximum AI per acre per season: 

0.0875 lb. REI: 12 hours. 

Brigade 2EC 2.1 – 6.4 oz. 0.033 – 0.10 61 – 20 Do not apply more than one time per 30 day interval. 

Discipline 2EC 2.1 – 6.4 oz. 0.033 – 0.10 61 – 20 Do not apply within 18 days of harvest. 



Brigadier 3.8 – 6.1 oz. 37 – 21 



Hero 1.24EC 3.8 – 6.1 33 – 21 

carbaryl (C) 

Toxic to bees and aquatic invertebrates. Preharvest intervals: 

Sevin XLR 4L 16 – 32 oz. 0.5 – 1.0 8 – 4 

21 days for grain, 14 days for grazing. Maxi- 

mum AI per acre per season: 6 lb. 

Sevin 4F 16 – 32 oz. 0.5 – 1.0 8 – 4 Toxic to bees. Pre-harvest interval for grazing: 21 days. 

Maximum AI per acre per season: 6 lb. 

chlorantranilipole (D), 


Besiege 7 – 9 oz. 18 – 14 


Asana XL 0.66EC 5.8 –9.6 oz. 0.03 – 0.05 22 – 13 


Declare 1.25EC 0.77 – 1.28 oz. 0.0075 – 0.0125 166.7 – 100 

imidacloprid (CN), 


Leverage 360 2.85 oz. 45 


Karate Z 2.08CS 0.96 –1.6 oz. 0.015 – 0.025 138 – 83 

permethrin (P) 

Ambush 2EC 6.4 oz. 0.1 20 

Pounce 3.2EC 4 oz. 0.1 32 

thiamethoxam (CN), 


Endigo ZC 3.5 – 4.5 oz. 37 – 28 


Mustang Max 0.8EC 2.8 – 4 oz. 0.0175 – 0.025 45.7 – 32 

Do not feed or graze livestock on treated plants. Do 

not apply within 21 days of harvest. Maximum AI per 

acre per season: 0.2 lb. REI: 12 hours. 

Do not graze or harvest treated soybean forage, straw, 

or hay for livestock feed. Do not apply within 45 days 

of harvest. Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.06 lb. 

Do not graze or harvest treated soybean forage, straw, 

or hay for livestock feed. Do not apply within 45 days 

of harvest. Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.03 lb. 

Toxic to fish and aquatic organisms. Do not graze or 

feed soybean forage to livestock. Preharvest interval: 60 

days. Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.4 lb. 

Toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Postharvest interval is 21 


Soybeans 23

The BeAn LeAF BeetLe adult is about one-fourth inch long and may have three or four pairs of black spots along the inner edge 

of each wing cover. The outer margin of the wing cover may be banded in black. The color patterns of the adult can vary, but typically 

they are reddish to yellowish. The adult beetle damages the plant by chewing holes in the leaves and occasionally feeding on stems and 

pods. Adults spend the winter in or near old bean fields. In the spring, they feed on weeds and are attracted to early-planted soybeans. 

Adults lay eggs in the soil where newly emerged larvae feed on soybean roots and nitrogen-fixing nodules. The immature stage of the beetle 

is a slender, white larva about one-half inch long with a dark brown area at each end. CruiserMaxx and Gaucho 600 insecticide seed 

treatments provide good control approximatley 3 to 4 weeks after planting. In the Delta region of Mississippi, we have documented 

pyrethroid resistance in bean leaf beetle populations. Rotate classes of chemistry whenever possible. 

tHResHoLD: If plants are not blooming or filling pods and beetles are present, treat when defoliation reaches 35 percent. If 

plants are blooming and filling pods and beetles are present, treat when defoliation reaches 20 percent or if 50 percent of the 

plants have pod feeding prior to R6. Insecticide termination for bean leaf beetle is R6 + 7 days (R6.5). 

Three- 

Cornered 

Alfalfa 

Hoppers 

Insecticide 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 


Baythroid XL 1EC 



Brigadier 


per Acre 

0.83 – 1.1 lb. 

1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

3.8 – 6.1 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.75 – 1.0 

0.0125 – 0.022 



1.2 – 0.9 

80 – 45.5 

37 – 21 

Comments 

Do not harvest for hay or forage. Do not apply within 14 

days of harvest. Apply by air at 5-10 GPA and by ground 

at 10-50 GPA. Maximum AI per acre per season: 1.5 lb. 

Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Do not 

feed green forage within 15 days of harvest. Preharvest interval: 

45 days. Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.0875 

lb. REI: 12 hours. 



Hero 1.24EC 

3.8 – 6.1 oz. 

33 – 21 



Besiege 

7 – 9 oz. 

18 – 14 



16 oz. 

0.5 

8 

Preharvest interval: 21 days. 




Declare 1.25 EC 



Leverage 360 

5.8 – 9.6 oz. 

0.77 – 1.28 oz. 

2.85 oz. 

0.03 – 0.05 

0.0075 – 0.0125 

22 – 13 

166.7 – 100 

45 

Do not feed or graze livestock on treated plants. Do not 

apply within 21 days of harvest. Maximum AI per acre per 

season: 0.2 lb. REI: 12 hours. 

Do not graze or harvest treated soybean forage, straw, or 

hay for livestock feed. Do not apply within 45 days of 

harvest. Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.03 lb. 



0.96 – 1.6 oz. 

0.015 – 0.025 

138 – 83 






Endigo ZC 

3.5 – 4.5 oz. 

37 – 28 



2.8 – 4 oz. 

0.0175 – 0.025 

45 – 32 



The tHRee-CoRneReD ALFALFA HoPPeR is a green triangular-shaped insect about one-fourth inch long. Young hoppers or 

nymphs are green to light brown, wingless, and covered with spines. They feed around the stem of young plants, girdling the stem near 

the soil surface. Young seedling plants may lodge from the girdling. When bean pods are set, maturing plants may break over from early 

seedling damage. Both adults and nymphs will also feed on the petioles of leaves, blooms, and pods. Pod petiole feeding will cause pods 

to drop to the ground, reducing yield. Soybean plants are most susceptible to main stem girdling when plants are 10 inches or less in 

height. Once the plant is taller than 10 inches, the main stem is not the preferred feeding site, but the leaf, bloom, and pod petioles may 

be fed upon. note: Often plants that have been girdled and do not lodge will produce normal yields. CruiserMaxx and Gaucho 600 insecticide 

seed treatments provide good control approximatley 3 to 4 weeks after planting. 

tHResHoLD: Plants less than 10 inches tall, treat when plant stand is being reduced below recommended plant population. see 

table 1 on page 33. Plants less than 6 inches tall, examine near the soil level for girdling. Bend the plants over, and look for hoppers. 

threshold is 50 insects per 25 sweeps when plants are more than 10 inches tall. Insecticide termination for three cornered alfalfa 

hoppers is when soybeans reach R6. 

24 Soybeans

Cutworms 

Insecticide 




Brigade 2EC 





per Acre 

0.8 – 1.6 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

5.8 – 9.6 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.0065 – 0.0125 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.03 – 0.05 



154 – 80 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

22 – 13 

Comments 


feed green forage within 15 days of harvest. Preharvest 


0.0875 lb. REI: 12 hours. 

Do not apply more than one time per 30-day interval. Do not 

apply within 18 days of harvest. 

Do not feed or graze livestock on treated plants. Do not 

apply within 21 days of harvest. Maximum AI per acre 

per season: 0.2 lb. REI: 12 hours. 







Toxic to fish and aquatic organisms. Do not graze or feed 

soybean forage to livestock. Preharvest interval: 60 days. 

Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.4 lb. 



0.77 – 1.28 oz. 

0.0075 – 0.0125 

166.7 – 100 



Warrior 1EC 

0.96 –1.6 oz. 

1.92 – 3.2 oz. 

0.015 – 0.025 

0.015 – 0.025 

138 – 83 

66.7 – 40 


Pounce 3.2EC 

Ambush 2EC 

4 oz. 

6.4 oz. 

0.1 

0.1 

32 

20 



1.28 – 4 oz. 

0.008 – 0.025 

100 – 32 



CUtWoRMs are rare pests of soybeans. Cutworms damage young soybean seedlings by cutting the plants off at the soil surface. 

Cutworms are about 1 1 ⁄2 inches long when full grown. They hide under debris or clods during the hot part of the day. Cutworms are most 

active around dusk and dawn. They are often associated with grassy areas in the field. Burndown herbicides should be applied 2 to 3 

weeks before planting. This will allow time for larvae already present feeding on winter vegetation to starve before soybean plants emerge. 

tHResHoLD: treat when plant stand is being reduced below the recommended plant population. see table 1 on page 33. 

For best results, treat early in the morning or late in the evening when cutworms are active. 

Grasshoppers 

Insecticide 


per Acre 

Pounds Active 




Comments 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 

0.28 – 0.56 lb. 

0.25 – 0.5 

3.6 – 1.8 

Do not harvest for hay or forage. Do not apply within 14 days 

of harvest. Apply by air at 5-10 GPA and by ground at 10-50 

GPA. Maximum AI per acre per season: 1.5 lb. 

Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Do not feed 

green forage within 15 days of harvest. Preharvest interval: 45 

days. Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.0875 lb. REI: 12 hours. 



2.0 – 2.8 oz. 

0.0155 – 0.022 

60 – 45.5 


Brigade 2EC 


diflubenzuron (IGR) 

Dimilin 2L 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2 oz. 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.031 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

64 



Apply Dimilin when most of the infesting grasshoppers have 

reached the second to third nymphal stage. Dimilin will not control 

adult grasshoppers. Check label for additional comments. 



16 oz. 

0.5 

8 

Preharvest interval: 21 days 







5.8 – 9.6 oz. 

1.28 – 1.54 oz. 

1.6 – 1.92 oz. 

0.03 – 0.05 

.0125 – .015 

0.025 – 0.03 

22 – 13 

100 – 83 

83 – 69 

Do not feed or graze livestock on treated plants. Do not apply 

within 21 days of harvest. Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.2 


Do not graze or harvest treated soybean forage, straw, or hay for 

livestock feed. Do not apply within 45 days of harvest. Maximum 

AI per acre per season: 0.03 lb. 

Do not graze or harvest treated soybean forage, straw, or hay for 

livestock feed. Do not apply within 45 days of harvest. Maximum 




3.2 – 4 oz. 

0.02 – 0.025 

40 – 32 

Toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Postharvest interval is 21 days. 


The two most common species of GRAssHoPPeRs attacking soybeans in Mississippi are the redlegged and the differential 

grasshopper. Grasshoppers are mainly foliage feeders but will feed on pods. Females lay eggs in a cemented pod below the soil surface 

most often in grassy, undisturbed sites such as roadsides, prairies, field borders, or ditch banks. Nymphs go through five or six instars, depending 

on the species. Nymphs and adults are damaging. You can tell the difference between grasshopper nymphs and adults by the 

presence of wing pads (not fully developed wings). Weather is the most important factor influencing population densities. Grasshoppers 

are more numerous following drought, especially when it lasts for several years in a row. Populations usually build around field borders 

before spreading into the field. 

tHResHoLD: If plants are not blooming or filling pods and grasshoppers are present, treat when defoliation reaches 35 percent. 

If plants are blooming and filling pods and grasshoppers are present, treat when defoliation reaches 20 percent or if 50 percent 

of the plants have pod feeding prior to R6. Insecticide termination for grasshoppers is R6 + 7 days (R6.5). 

*Mow ditch before crop development to prevent grasshoppers from moving into the crop. 

Soybeans 25

Green 

Cloverworms 

Insecticide 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 




Brigade 2EC 



per Acre 

0.83 – 1.1 lb. 

0.8 – 1.6 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.75 – 1.0 

0.0065 – 0.0125 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 



1.2 – 0.9 

154 – 80 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

Comments 

Do not harvest for hay or forage. Do not apply within 14 

days of harvest. Apply by air at 5-10 GPA and by ground 

at 10-50 GPA. Maximum AI per acre per season: 1.5 lb. 


feed green forage within 15 days of harvest. Preharvest interval: 

45 days. Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.0875 


Do not apply more than one time per 30 day interval. Do 

not apply within 18 days of harvest. 



Brigadier 

3.8 – 6.1 oz. 

37 – 21 



Hero 1.24EC 

3.8 – 6.1 oz. 

33 – 21 

carbaryl (C) 

Sevin XLR 4L 

Sevin 4F 

16 – 32 oz. 

16 – 32 oz. 

0.5 – 1.0 

0.5 – 1.0 

8 – 4 

8 – 4 

Toxic to bees and aquatic invertebrates. Preharvest intervals: 

21 days for grain, 14 days for grazing. Maximum AI 

per acre per season: 6 lb. 

Toxic to bees. Pre-harvest interval for grazing: 21 days. 




14 – 20 oz. 

0.047 – 0.067 

9 – 6.4 

Preharvest interval is 1 day. Adjuvants such as methylated 

seed oil (MSO) may be added for improved coverage. 



Besiege 

7 – 9 oz. 

18 – 14 


Dimilin 2L 

2 – 4 oz. 

0.031 – 0.0625 

64 – 32 

Apply Dimilin when larvae are small (

The GReen CLoVeRWoRM feeds on soybean foliage. This pest is uniformly pale green with white stripes running along 

the sides. Green cloverworms have the same looping motion as the soybean looper and look similar, but the body is not tapered toward 

the head. An identifying characteristic of the green cloverworm is that it has three pairs of abdominal prolegs. When disturbed, 

this insect becomes very active. It is attacked by a number of predators, parasites, and diseases and rarely requires chemical 

treatment. 

tHResHoLD: IF no DIseAseD WoRMs ARe PResent 

Drop cloth threshold: Prior to bloom, apply insecticide when eight or more worms a half-inch or longer are present per row foot. 

If plants are blooming and filling pods, apply insecticide when four or more worms a half-inch or longer are present per row foot. 

sweep net threshold: Prior to bloom, treat when 75 worms a half-inch or longer per 25 sweeps are present. After bloom, treat 

when 38 worms a half-inch or longer per 25 sweeps are present. 

Defoliation threshold: Treat when 35 percent foliage loss has occurred and worms a half-inch or longer are present prior to bloom 

or when 20 percent foliage loss has occurred and worms a half-inch or longer are present after bloom. 

Insecticide termination: Terminate insecticide applications for green cloverworms at R6 + 7 days (R6.5). 

Soybean 

Loopers 

Insecticide 




per Acre 

14 – 20 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.047 – 0.067 



9 – 6.4 

Comments 





Besiege 

10 – 12.8 oz. 

18 – 14 


Belt 4SC 

2 – 3 oz. 

0.0625 – 0.094 

64 – 43 




Intrepid 2F 

5.6 – 11.3 oz. 

4 – 8 oz. 

0.055 – 0.11 

0.06 – 0.12 

22.8 – 11.5 

32 – 16 

Toxic to fish, birds, and aquatic invertebrates. Do 

not feed or graze livestock on treated fields. Postharvest 


0.44 lb. 

Drift and runoff may be toxic to sensitive aquatic 

vertebrates. Do not apply by air within 150 feet or 

by ground within 25 feet of surface water. Preharvest 

interval: 14 days for seed; 7 days for hay or forage. 

Maximum AI per acre per season: 1 lb. (or 4 applications 

per acre per season). REI: 4 hours. 

methoxyfenozide (IGR), 


Intrepid Edge 

4 – 6.4 oz. 

32 – 20 


Radiant 1SC 

2 – 4 oz. 

0.016 – 0.031 

64 – 32 

Preharvest interval is 28 days. 


Blackhawk 

1.1 – 2.2 oz. 

0.025 – 0.05 

116 – 58 

Toxic to bees and mollusks. Do not feed treated forage 

or hay to beef or dairy cattle. Preharvest treatment 

interval: 28 days. Maximum AI per acre per 

season: 0.186 lb. REI: 4 hours. 

soyBeAn LooPeRs are migratory insects that fly in from Central and South America each year and infest soybeans midto 

late-season in Mississippi. Soybean loopers are leaf feeders and can cause extensive defoliation when present in high numbers. 

Soybean loopers generally start feeding in the middle of the plant canopy and move upward. The larva has a characteristic looping 

movement when crawling. It is light green, with white lines running the length of the body on the sides and top. The body tapers 

toward the head, and the larva has two pairs of abdominal prolegs. The soybean looper has developed resistance to some insecticides 

but is often controlled by disease organisms. 








Insecticide termination: Terminate insecticide applications for soybean loopers at R6 + 7 days (R6.5). 

Crop Soybeans Name 27

Velvetbean 

Caterpillars 

Insecticide 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 




per Acre 

0.83 – 1.1 lb. 

1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.75 – 1.0 

0.0125 – 0.022 



1.2 – 0.9 

80 – 45.5 

Comments 

Do not harvest for hay or forage. Do not apply within 14 days 

of harvest. Apply by air at 5-10 GPA and by ground at 10-50 

GPA. Maximum AI per acre per season: 1.5 lb. 

Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Do not feed 

green forage within 15 days of harvest. Preharvest interval: 45 

days. Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.0875 lb. REI: 12 

hours. 


Brigade 2EC 


2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 





Brigadier 

3.8 – 6.1 oz. 

37 – 21 



Hero 1.24EC 

3.8 – 6.1 oz. 

33 – 21 



14 – 20 oz. 

0.047 – 0.067 

9 – 6.4 





Besiege 


Dimilin 2L 



7 – 9 oz. 

2 – 4 oz. 

2.9 – 5.8 oz. 

0.031 – 0.0625 

0.015 – 0.03 

18 – 14 

64 – 32 

44 – 22 

Dimilin should be applied when larvae are small (

VeLVetBeAn CAteRPILLAR larvae vary from light to dull green, with white lines running the length of the body. The 

lines on the side of the body are usually much broader than those of the green cloverworm or looper. Velvetbean caterpillars have 

four pairs of abdominal prolegs and are about 1 1 ⁄2 inch long when full grown. When disturbed, the velvetbean caterpillar becomes 

very active and wriggles about like the green cloverworm. Velvetbean caterpillars are voracious feeders, usually starting at the top of 

the plant and feeding downward causing complete defoliation if not controlled. Velvetbean caterpillars are migratory insects flying 

in from Central and South America each year. Velvetbean caterpillars are primarily foliage feeders but will feed on petioles, causing 

pods to drop to the ground after a significant loss of foliage. Velvetbean caterpillars generally are late-season pests of soybeans in 

Mississippi. 








Insecticide termination: Terminate insecticide applications for velvetbean caterpillars at R6 + 7 days (R6.5). 

Bollworms 

(Corn Earworms 

or “Podworms”) 

and 

Tobacco 

Budworms 

Insecticide 

chlorantranilipole (D) 

Prevathon 043SC 



Besiege 


Belt 4SC 


per Acre 

14 – 20 oz. 

7 – 9 oz. 

2 – 3 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.047 – 0.067 

0.0625 – 0.094 



9 – 6.4 

18 – 14 

64 – 43 

Comments 

Preharvest interval is 1 day. Adjuvants such as methylated seed 

oil (MSO) may be added for improved coverage. 



methomyl (C) 

Lannate 2.4LV 

5.6 – 11.3 oz. 

12 – 24 oz. 

0.055 – 0.11 

0.225 – 0.45 

22.8 – 11.5 

10.6 – 5.3 

Toxic to fish, birds, and aquatic invertebrates. Do not feed or 

graze livestock on treated fields. Postharvest interval: 21 days. 


Toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, bees and wildlife. Do not 

graze forage within 3 days and hay within 12 days of last application. 

Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. Maximum 

AI per acre per season: 1.35 lb. Use .45 lb. AI of methomyl for 

high populations of corn earworms. 



Intrepid Edge 

4 – 6.4 oz. 

32 – 20 


Radiant 1SC 

2 – 4 oz. 

0.016 – 0.031 

64 – 32 



Blackhawk 

1.7 – 2.2 oz. 

0.038 – 0.05 

75 – 58 

Toxic to bees and mollusks. Do not feed treated forage or hay 

to beef or dairy cattle. Preharvest treatment interval: 28 days. 

Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.186 lb. REI: 4 hours. 

Pyrethroids may not control bollworms. It is recommended to use only the highest labeled rate of pyrethroids + 0.5 – 0.75 lb of acephate to control bollworms in the Delta region. 

The BoLLWoRM oR CoRn eARWoRM, found on cotton and corn, is commonly referred to as the “podworm” in soybeans. It varies in color 

from light green to pink, dark brown, or rust, with pale lines running the length of the body. It has four pairs of abdominal prolegs and is about 1 1 ⁄4 inch 

long when fully grown. The worm usually curls up when knocked to the ground. Infestations occur most often during the reproductive stages of the soybean 

plant. In high numbers, this insect can cause significant yield loss. 

tHResHoLD: Before bloom, treat on 35 percent defoliation level. If you use a drop cloth to detect bollworms, threshold is three worms per foot of 

row after bloom. With a sweep net, threshold is nine worms per 25 sweeps after bloom. For dynamic thresholds that account for price received and 

control costs, use table 1 below. 

*Bollworms or podworms are difficult to sample with the sweep net. Sweep deeper into the canopy, using extra force; supplement with visual check for 

pod or bloom feeding. 

table 1. Economic thresholds for corn earworm larvae based on sweep net sampling. 

Larvae/25 sweeps 

Control Costs ($/acre) 1 

Crop value ($/bu) 10 15 20 25 30 

6 7.4 11.0 14.7 18.4 22.1 

7 6.3 9.5 12.6 15.8 18.9 

8 5.5 8.3 11.0 13.8 16.5 

9 4.9 7.4 9.8 12.3 14.7 

10 4.4 6.6 8.8 11.0 13.2 

12 3.7 5.5 7.4 9.2 11.0 

13 3.4 5.1 6.8 8.5 10.2 

Based on early- planted Maturity Group IV soybean varieties with >50 bu/acre yield potential. 

1 

Including application costs. 

Soybeans 29

Saltmarsh 

Caterpillars 

Insecticide 




per Acre 

1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.0125 – 0.022 



80 – 45.5 

Comments 

Toxic to bees. Pre-harvest interval for grazing: 21 

days. Maximum AI per acre per season: 6 lb. 


Brigade 2EC 


carbaryl (C) 

Sevin XLR 4L 

Sevin 4F 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

48 oz. 

48 oz. 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

1.5 

1.5 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

2.7 

2.7 

Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. 

Do not feed green forage within 15 days of harvest. 

Preharvest interval: 45 days. Maximum AI 

per acre per season: 0.0875 lb. REI: 12 hours. 

Toxic to bees and aquatic invertebrates. Preharvest 

intervals: 21 days for grain, 14 days for grazing. 


Do not apply more than one time per 30-day interval. 

Do not apply within 18 days of harvest. 



14 – 20 oz. 

0.047 – 0.067 

9 – 6.4 

Preharvest interval is 1 day. Adjuvants such as 

methylated seed oil (MSO) may be added for 

improved coverage. 



Besiege 

5 – 8 oz. 

25.6 – 16 



2.9 – 5.8 oz. 

0.015 – 0.03 

44 – 22 

Do not feed or graze livestock on treated plants. 

Do not apply within 21 days of harvest. Maximum 

AI per acre per season: 0.2 lb. REI: 12 hours. 


Belt 4SC 

2 – 3 oz. 

0.0625 – 0.094 

64 – 43 





0.77 – 1.28 oz. 

0.96 –1.6 oz. 

0.0075 – 0.0125 

0.015 – 0.025 

166.7 – 100 

138 – 83 

Do not graze or harvest treated soybean forage, 

straw, or hay for livestock feed. Do not apply 

within 45 days of harvest. Maximum AI per acre 

per season: 0.03 lb. 

Do not graze or harvest treated soybean forage, 

straw, or hay for livestock feed. Do not apply 

within 45 days of harvest. Maximum AI per acre 

per season: 0.06 lb. 

methomyl (C) 

Lannate 2.4LV 


Intrepid 2F 

12 – 24 oz. 

4 – 8 oz. 

0.3 – 0.45 

0.06 – 0.12 

8 – 5.3 

32 – 16 

Toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, bees, and 

wildlife. Do not graze forage within 3 days and 

hay within 12 days of last application. Do not 

apply within 14 days of harvest. Maximum AI 

per acre per season: 1.35 lb. Use .45 lb AI of 

methomyl on heavy populations of saltmarsh 

caterpillar. 

Drift and runoff may be toxic to sensitive aquatic 

vertebrates. Do not apply by air within 150 feet or 

by ground within 25 feet of surface water. Preharvest 

interval: 14 days for seed; 7 days for hay or 

forage. Maximum AI per acre per season: 1 lb. (or 

4 applications per acre per season). REI: 4 hours. 



Intrepid Edge 

4 – 6.4 oz. 

32 – 20 


Ambush 2EC 

Pounce 3.2EC 


Radiant 1SC 

6.4 oz. 

4 oz. 

2 – 4 oz. 

0.1 

0.1 

0.016 – 0.031 

20 

32 

64 – 32 

Toxic to fish and aquatic organisms. Do not 

graze or feed soybean forage to livestock. Preharvest 

interval: 60 days. Maximum AI per acre per 

season: 0.4 lb. 



Blackhawk 

1.7 – 2.2 oz. 

0.038 – 0.05 

75 – 58 

Toxic to bees and mollusks. Do not feed treated 

forage or hay to beef or dairy cattle. Preharvest 

treatment interval: 28 days. Maximum AI per 

acre per season: 0.186 lb. REI: 4 hours. 


Mustang Max 0.8E 

1.8 – 4 oz. 

0.008 – 0.025 

100 – 32 

Toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Postharvest interval 

is 21 days. Maximum AI per acre per season: 

0.125 lb. 

sALtMARsH CAteRPILLARs (often called “woolly worms”) feed in the larval stage on soybean foliage. Eggs are laid in 

masses on the soybean leaves. Infestations often start around field borders. You can easily recognize this caterpillar by the thick hair 

that covers the body. Color may be black, rust, or yellowish-orange. This pest seldom reaches treatable levels, but large numbers can 

cause extensive defoliation if left untreated. 




Insecticide termination: Terminate insecticide applications for saltmarsh caterpillars at R6 + 7 days (R6.5). 

30 Crop Soybeans Name

Beet 

Armyworms 

Insecticide 




per Acre 

14 – 20 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.047 – 0.067 



9 – 6.4 

Comments 

Preharvest interval is 1 day. Adjuvants such as methylated seed oil 

(MSO) may be added for improved coverage. 



Besiege 

7 – 9 oz. 

18 – 14 


Belt 4SC 

2 – 3 oz. 

0.0625 – 0.094 

64 – 43 

Toxic to fish, birds, and aquatic invertebrates. Do not feed or graze 

livestock on treated fields. Postharvest interval: 21 days. Maximum 




5.6 – 11.3 oz. 

0.055 – 0.11 

22.8 – 11.5 


Intrepid 2F 



Intrepid Edge 

4 – 8 oz. 

4 – 6.4 oz. 

0.06 – 0.12 

64 – 32 

32 – 20 

Drift and runoff may be toxic to sensitive aquatic vertebrates. Do 

not apply by air within 150 feet or by ground within 25 feet of surface 

water. Preharvest interval: 14 days for seed; 7 days for hay or 

forage. Maximum AI per acre per season: 1 lb. (or 4 applications 

per acre per season). REI: 4 hours. 



Radiant 1SC 

2 – 4 oz. 

0.016 – 0.031 

64 – 32 


Blackhawk 

1.7 – 2.2 oz. 

.038 – .05 

75 – 58 

Toxic to bees and mollusks. Do not feed treated forage or hay to 

beef or dairy cattle. Preharvest treatment interval: 28 days. Maximum 


The Beet ARMyWoRM prefers to feed on foliage of seedling soybean plants. However, if they are present during fruiting, they will feed on 

bloom buds, blooms, and small pods. The larva has a small black spot on each side of the second body segment. This small black spot is directly above 

the second pair of true legs behind the head. The beet armyworm has four pairs of abdominal prolegs and a smooth body. The larvae are about 1 1 ⁄4 in ch 

long when fully grown. They generally curl up when knocked to the ground. Color may vary from grayish-green to near black with pale lines running 

the length of the body. Beneficial insects and diseases usually control this pest. Beet armyworms are migratory insects that generally attack soybeans in 

Mississippi mid- to late-season. 


Defoliation threshold: Treat when 35 percent foliage loss has occurred and worms a half-inch or longer are present prior to bloom or 

when 20 percent foliage loss has occurred and worms a half-inch or longer are present after bloom. 

Insecticide termination: Terminate insecticide applications for beet armyworms at R6 + 7 days (R6.5). 


Fall 

Armyworms 

Insecticide 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 




Brigade 2EC 



per Acre 

0.83 – 1.1 lb. 

1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.75 – 1.0 

0.0125 – 0.022 

0.033 – 0.1 

0.033 – 0.1 



1.2 – 0.9 

80 – 45 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

Comments 

Do not harvest for hay or forage. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. 

Apply by air at 5-10 GPA and by ground at 10-50 GPA. Maximum 


Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Do not feed green 

forage within 15 days of harvest. Preharvest interval: 45 days. Maximum 


Do not apply more than one time per 30-day interval. Do not apply 

within 18 days of harvest. 





14 – 20 oz. 

0.047 – 0.067 

9 – 6.4 

Preharvest interval is 1 day. Adjuvants such as methylated seed oil 

(MSO) may be added for improved coverage. 



Besiege 

7 – 9 oz. 

18 – 14 


Belt 4SC 

2 – 3 oz. 

0.0625 – 0.094 

64 – 43 



1.28 – 1.54 oz. 

0.0125 – 0.015 

100 – 83 

Do not graze or harvest treated soybean forage, straw, or hay for livestock 

feed. Do not apply within 45 days of harvest. Maximum AI 

per acre per season: 0.06 lb. 



5.6 – 11.3 oz. 

0.55 – 0.11 

22.8 – 11.5 

Toxic to fish, birds, and aquatic invertebrates. Do not feed or graze 

livestock on treated fields. Postharvest interval: 21 days. Maximum 

AI per acre per season: 0.44 lb. First and second instars only. 



1.6 – 1.92 oz. 

0.025 – 0.03 

83 – 69 





Intrepid 2F 

4 – 8 oz. 

0.06 – 0.12 

32 – 16 

Drift and runoff may be toxic to sensitive aquatic vertebrates. Do 

not apply by air within 150 feet or by ground within 25 feet of surface 

water. Preharvest interval: 14 days for seed; 7 days for hay or 

forage. Maximum AI per acre per season: 1 lb. (or 4 applications per 

acre per season). REI: 4 hours. 



Intrepid Edge 

4 – 6.4 oz. 

32 – 20 


Radiant 1SC 

2 – 4 oz. 

0.016 – 0.031 

64 – 32 



Blackhawk 

1.7 – 2.2 oz. 

0.038 – 0.052 

75 – 58 

Toxic to bees and mollusks. Do not feed treated forage or hay to beef 

or dairy cattle. Preharvest treatment interval: 28 days. Maximum AI 




3.2 – 4 oz. 

0.02 – 0.025 

40 – 32 

Toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Postharvest interval is 21 days. Maximum 


FALL ARMyWoRMs are occasional pests of soybeans that can be extremely damaging if present in high numbers. Fall armyworms will damage all stages 

of soybeans. In the early stages, they can act similar to cutworms by cutting seedlings off at ground level. Later stages will feed primarily on foliage and pods. The 

larva has a characteristic inverted “Y” on the head capsule and is brown to dark green. Eggs are laid in masses and are covered with gray scales from the female 

moth 

ṫHResHoLD: treat young soybeans when plant stand is being reduced below the recommended plant population. see table 1 on page 33. 

If plants are not blooming or filling pods and larvae are present, apply insecticide if defoliation reaches 35 percent. If plants are blooming and filling 

pods and larvae are present, apply insecticide if defoliation reaches 20 percent. 


Stink Bugs 

Insecticide 


per Acre 

Pounds Active 




Comments 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 



.56 – 1.1 lb. 

1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

0.56 – 1.1 

0.0125 – 0.022 

0.5 – 1.0 

80 – 45.5 

Do not harvest for hay or forage. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. 

Apply by air at 5-10 GPA and by ground at 10-50 GPA. Maximum 


Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Do not feed green 

forage within 15 days of harvest. Preharvest interval: 45 days. Maximum 



Brigade 2EC 


2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 





Brigadier 

3.8 – 6.1 oz. 

37 – 21 



Hero 1.24EC 

3.8 – 6.1 oz. 

33 – 21 



Besiege 

7 – 9 oz. 

18 – 14 





5.8 – 9.6 oz. 

1.28 – 1.54 oz. 

0.03 – 0.05 

0.0125 – 0.015 

22 – 13 

100 – 83 

Do not feed or graze livestock on treated plants. Do not apply 

within 21 days of harvest. Maximum AI per acre per season: 0.2 lb. 

REI: 12 hours. 






Leverage 360 

2.85 oz. 

45 



1.6 – 1.92 oz. 

0.025 – 0.03 

83 – 69 






Endigo ZC 

3.5 – 4.5 oz. 

37 – 28 



3.2 – 4 oz. 

0.02 – 0.025 

40 – 32 



In Mississippi, three species of stInK BUGs are commonly found in soybeans: southern green, green, and brown. Adult stink bugs are about one-half inch 

long. During spring and early summer, they feed and reproduce on a variety of weeds and in home gardens. Stink bugs damage soybeans by piercing the pod hulls 

and sucking juices from the developing seeds. This type of feeding can result in unfilled pods, severely shrunken seeds, or discolored seeds around the puncture sites. 

Punctured seeds can cause lower grades and lower germination. Stink bugs lay barrel-shaped eggs in masses on the leaf surface. Emerging nymphs complete five life 

stages before becoming adults. All stages feed on soybeans, but the fourth and fifth instar nymphs can cause as much damage as the adult stage. 

tHResHoLD: If you use a drop cloth, the threshold is one bug per foot of row. If you are using a sweep net, the threshold is nine bugs per 25 sweeps. Count only 

stink bug nymphs larger than one-fourth of an inch. For redbanded stink bugs, treat when numbers reach six bugs per 25 sweeps or four bugs per 6 feet of row with 

drop cloth. Brown stink bugs are more difficult to control with pyrethroid insecticides. When soybeans reach the R6 growth stage, treat only on populations of 20 

stink bugs per 25 sweeps or higher and terminate stink bug applications at R6 + 7 days (R6.5). Read label to determine the preharvest interval. 


Pounds Active 

Insecticide Comments 

Kudzu Bugs per Acre Ingredient per Acre 1 Pound Dry Will Treat 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 

0.83 – 1.1 lb. 

0.75 – 1.0 


1.2 – .9 


Brigade 2EC 


Fanfare 2E 

5 – 6.4 oz. 

5 – 6.4 oz. 

5 – 6.4 oz. 

0.078 – 0.1 

0.078 – 0.1 

0.078 – 0.1 

26 – 20 

26 – 20 

26 – 20 


Declare 1.25 

1.28 – 1.54 oz. 

0.0125 – 0.015 

100 – 83 


Karate 2.08 

1.92 oz. 

0.031 

67 



4 oz. 

0.025 

32 

KUDZU BUGs originated in Asia and are an invasive pest of soybeans. Kudzu bugs have piercing-sucking mouthparts and preferentially feed on stems and 

petioles of soybean plants. Damage is caused when high numbers suck down the general vigor of the plant. 

tHResHoLD: During the vegetative stages, treat when kudzu bugs average five bugs per plant. Often, only field borders will require treatment. During the reproductive 

stages, treat when you average 25 nymphs per 25 sweeps. 


Blister 

Beetles 

Insecticide 



carbaryl (C) 

Sevin XLR 4L 

Sevin 4F 








per Acre 

1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

16 – 32 oz. 

16 – 32 oz. 

1.28 – 1.54 oz. 

1.6 – 1.92 oz. 

2.8 – 4 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.0125 – 0.022 

0.5 – 1.0 

0.5 – 1.0 

0.0125 – 0.015 

0.025 – 0.03 

0.0175 – 0.025 



80 – 45.5 

8 – 4 

8 – 4 

100 – 83 

83 – 69 

45.7 – 32 

Comments 

Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Do not feed green forage 

within 15 days of harvest. Preharvest interval: 45 days. Maximum AI 


Toxic to bees and aquatic invertebrates. Preharvest intervals: 21 days for 

grain, 14 days for grazing. Maximum AI per acre per season: 6 lb. 

Toxic to bees. Pre-harvest interval for grazing: 21 days. 



feed. Do not apply within 45 days of harvest. Maximum AI per acre per 



feed. Do not apply within 45 days of harvest. Maximum AI per acre per 




BLIsteR BeetLes feed mainly on the leaves of soybean plants. Blister beetles may be grayish, black, or orange with stripes 

and are about three-fourths inch long. They are rarely a problem in soybeans, but large numbers can cause extensive defoliation. 

Some species will congregate in very large numbers within the soybean field, but damage is usually isolated to small patch-like 

areas. The larvae of the blister beetle can be considered a beneficial insect. First instar larvae are very mobile and search out and 

feed on grasshopper eggs. 

tHResHoLD: If plants are not blooming or filling pods and beetles are present, apply insecticide if defoliation reaches 

35 percent. If plants are blooming and filling pods and beetles are present, apply insecticide if defoliation reaches 20 

percent. 

table 1. Suggested plant populations for soybeans planted in MS. table 2. Growth stages of soybeans (from Fehr & Caviness 1977). 

Row Width 

in Inches 

Feet of Row 

per Acre 

Plants per Foot 

of Row 

Plants per 

Acre 

VE – Emergence 

VC – Cotyledon 

40 

38 

36 

30 

20 

14 

12 

10 

7 

6 

13,068 

13,756 

14,520 

17,424 

26,136 

37,337 

43,560 

52,272 

74,674 

87,120 

8.00 

7.50 

7.00 

6.00 

4.00 

3.50 

3.00 

2.75 

2.25 

2.00 

104,544 

103,455 

101,640 

104,544 

104,544 

130,680 

130,680 

143,748 

168,016 

174,240 

V1 – First trifoliate 

V2 – Second trifoliate 

V3 – Third trifoliate 

V4 – Fourth trifoliate 

V (n) – Nth trifoliate (nth node) 

R1 – Beginning bloom, one open flower at any node on the main stem. 

R2 – Full bloom, open flower at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main stem with a fully developed 

trifoliate leaf. 

R3 – Beginning pod, three-sixteenths inch pod at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main stem with a 

fully developed trifoliate leaf. 

R4 – Full pod, three-fourths inch pod at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main stem with a fully developed 

trifoliate leaf. 

R5 – Beginning seed, one-eighth inch long seed in the pod at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main 

stem with a fully developed trifoliate leaf. 

R6 – Full seed, pod contains a green seed that fills the pod cavity at one of the four uppermost nodes on the 

main stem with a fully developed leaf. 

R7 – Beginning maturity, one normal pod on the main stem that has reached mature pod color, normally 

brown or tan depending on variety. 

R8 – Full maturity, 95 percent of the pods have reached their mature pod color. Five to ten days of drying 

weather are generally required after R8 before the soybeans have less than 15 percent moisture. This can 

occur more rapidly in early-planted soybeans in the Midsouth under very hot conditions. 

34 Soybeans

!"#$%&'(&!""#$%&'()*+&,)*#-(.+&,+/(01+2*)3**,+1455*11&-*+#*"#$/45)&-*+6#$3)7+1)(6*1+20+ 

'()4#&)0+6#$4"+89:;+(,/+".(,)&,6+/()*+8&*./+5$,/&)&$,1+()+?)$,*-&..*@+ 

9&11&11&""&A B++ 

table 3. Approximate interval in days between successive reproductive growth stages by maturity group (MG) and planting date (PD) under irrigated field conditions 

at Stoneville, Mississippi. 1 

)*&& +,&& +,-./&& ./-.0&& .0-.'&& .'-.1&& .1-.2&& .2-.3&& .3-.4&& .4-.5&& ./-.5&& +,-.5&& 

6789:;&& 

'(?&& CDBE++ FG++ C++ BB++ H++ H++ IC++ BJ++ BC++ GC++ BCB++ 

'(?&& FDBE++ CG++ C++ BF++ G++ H++ IF++ BG++ BC++ GH++ BIE++ 

'(?&& EDBE++ CF++ F++ BF++ J++ H++ II++ BK++ BI++ GF++ BBG++ 

'(?&& KDBF++ CC++ F++ BF++ G++ H++ BJ++ BF++ J++ HE++ BLG++ 

'(?&& HDLF++ CC++ F++ BC++ H++ K++ BH++ BI++ H++ KK++ JJ++ 

1(1&& CDBE++ EC++ C++ BI++ G++ G++ IE++ IL++ BI++ GH++ BFL++ 

1(1&& FDBE++ FI++ F++ BE++ G++ G++ IE++ BG++ BC++ JB++ BCC++ 

1(1&& EDBE++ CH++ E++ BE++ G++ G++ IC++ BH++ BB++ GH++ BIF++ 

1(1&& KDBF++ CK++ F++ BF++ G++ G++ IL++ BF++ J++ HK++ BBI++ 

1(1&& HDLF++ CE++ F++ BC++ H++ H++ BG++ BI++ H++ KH++ BLI++ 

1(?&& CDBE++ EG++ F++ BC++ J++ G++ IK++ IB++ BF++ JE++ BEC++ 

1(?&& FDBE++ FH++ F++ BK++ J++ G++ IK++ BJ++ BC++ JE++ BFI++ 

1(?&& EDBE++ FB++ E++ BE++ J++ G++ IF++ BH++ BB++ GJ++ BCL++ 

1(?&& KDBF++ CG++ E++ BF++ J++ H++ IL++ BF++ BL++ HJ++ BBH++ 

1(?&& HDLF+ CH+ F+ BC+ H+ H+ BG+ BI+ G+ KJ+ +++++BLK+ 

2(1&& CDBE++ KF++ F++ BE++ J++ BL++ IK++ II++ BF++ BLL++ BKF++ 

2(1&& FDBE++ EC++ F++ BK++ BL++ J++ IK++ IL++ BC++ JG++ BEB++ 

2(1&& EDBE++ FK++ F++ BK++ BL++ G++ IF++ BG++ BC++ JC++ BCJ++ 

2(1&& KDBF++ FB++ E++ BE++ G++ G++ IB++ BF++ J++ GL++ BIB++ 

2(1&& HDF++ CJ++ F++ BF++ H++ H++ BG++ BC++ G++ HB++ BBL++ 

2(?&& FDBE++ EG++ E++ BH++ BB++ J++ IH++ IL++ BC++ BLI++ BKL++ 

2(?&& EDBE++ EL++ E++ BH++ BL++ G++ IE++ BG++ BB++ JF++ BFF++ 

2(?&& KDBF++ FF++ E++ BK++ G++ G++ II++ BF++ BL++ GC++ BIH++ 

2(?&& KDIJ++ FI++ F++ BE++ G++ H++ IL++ BC++ G++ HE++ BBH++ 

1 

Data were adapted from Zhang et al. (2004) Crop Management. Data were compiled across 

multiple years (1998 and 2002), resulting in a variety of environmental conditions. 

1 

Data adapted from Zhang et al. (2004) Crop Managment. Data compiled across multiple years (1998 and 2002), resulting in a variety of environmental conditions. 

table 4. Recommended plant populations for Mississippi soybean producers. 

Planting date 

Recommended plant population (plants/acre) 

Group 4s 

Group 5s 

Late March to April 5 130,000 120,000 

April 5 to April 20 120,000 100,000 

Late April to early May 100,000 100,000 

table 5. Recommended plant populations for narrow row spacings. Final seeding rate based on 85% emergence of planted seed. 

Desired # of plants Seeding rate Row spacing (inches) 

plants / acre seed / acre 7.5 8 10 15 18 20 25 30 

seed / ft of row to be planted 

100,000 117,000 1.7 1.8 2.3 3.4 4.1 4.5 5.6 6.8 

110,000 129,000 1.9 2.0 2.5 3.7 4.5 5.0 6.2 7.4 

120,000 141,000 2.0 2.2 2.7 4.1 4.9 5.4 6.8 8.1 

130,000 153,000 2.2 2.4 2.9 4.4 5.3 5.9 7.3 8.8 

table 6. Recommended plant populations for wide-row and twin-row patterns. Final seeding rate based on 85% emergence of planted seed. 

Desired # of plants Seeding rate Wide-row (inches) Twin-row* 

plants / acre seed / acre 38 40 38-inch row 40-inch row 

seed / ft of row to be planted in each row 

100,000 117,000 8.6 9.0 4.3 4.5 

110,000 129,000 9.4 9.9 4.7 5.0 

120,000 141,000 10.3 10.8 5.2 5.4 

130,000 153,000 11.1 11.7 5.6 5.9 

Soybeans 35

Estimating Foliage Loss 

Effectively estimating whole plant foliage loss is important in determining 

economic thresholds. Concise determinations in the field are difficult to make. Following 

is one procedure that may help in making defoliation estimates more 

accurate. 

1. Study the leaflet photographs that show different foliage losses. 

Remember the threshold is 35 percent foliage loss for soybeans 

not blooming or filling pods and 20 percent foliage loss for soybeans 

blooming or filling pods. 

2. Randomly select 10 to 20 leaflets from the middle or upper 

position of plants within a field. 

3. Compare each leaflet with the photographs to the left and score 

each leaflet collected. 

4. Average the scores to find the average foliage loss for the field 

sampled. 

5. Practice this method using several field surveys. 

Occasional Pests of Soybeans 

Grape colaspis larvae occasionally are present early in the season in soybean fields. Feeding injury may result in stand reduction. Although uncommon, even severe 

infestations are difficult to detect early enough for chemical control, and replanting is often required. 

Potato leafhopper populations are occasionally extremely high in soybean fields. Smooth-leaf varieties are particularly susceptible to potato leafhoppers. Extensive 

feeding on leaves by this pest may cause leaf discoloration and malformation, often called “hopperburn.” Although this is generally insignificant, yields can 

sometimes be reduced. Approximate thresholds are five to nine per plant before bloom, with smaller plants being more susceptible. Blooming and more mature 

plants can tolerate larger populations. 

Lesser cornstalk borer larvae damage soybeans by boring into the main stem at or just below the soil surface. Seedlings are cut off at the soil surface or may 

lodge because of extensive tunneling. The larvae are bluish-green and travel on top of the soil in silken tubes. Treatment is usually preventive and based on field 

history. Preventive treatments of Lorsban 15G applied T-band or in-furrow at planting at 8 oz./1,000 row feet are recommended when the field has a history of 

this pest. See label for additional details. 

soybean aphids are a new pest to soybeans in Mississippi. Currently soybean aphids have only been found in a few counties in Mississippi. While several species 

of aphids will feed on soybeans, soybean aphids are the only species that will colonize in very large numbers on soybeans. Soybean aphids, like whiteflies, excrete 

honeydew while they feed. This honeydew can cover the plant and cause sooty mold. This sooty mold prevents photosynthesis and can cause premature defoliation. 

Since this is a new pest to Mississippi, there are no current established thresholds. In Midwest states, thresholds are generally 250 aphids per plant. Apparently, 

there is no value in treating after R6. 

thrips can occur in high populations on soybeans and are most damaging during periods of drought. Although these populations may delay maturity, they generally 

do not reduce yields. 

tobacco budworms only occasionally develop high populations in soybeans. Heaviest infestations often occur in areas with the highest concentration of cotton 

acreage. This insect is very similar in appearance and habits to the bollworm, and you should use the same treatment threshold. Budworms have developed resistance 

to many insecticides and are more difficult to control. 

Whiteflies normally do not build damaging populations on soybeans, but in favorable conditions, extremely large populations can occur. Very little direct damage 

results from whitefly feeding. These insects produce honeydew. A fungus known as sooty mold grows on the honeydew. When this mold covers the leaf surface, 

it blocks sunlight, which prevents photosynthesis and can cause premature defoliation. 

Whitefringed beetles occur in soybeans on the Coastal Plain. Although adults feed on foliage, populations are usually low. Whitefringed beetles are not thought 

to be of economic importance, but we don’t know how much soybean damage they cause. 

Dectes stem borers are cylindrical, ash-gray beetles with long antennae. The adults are minor foliage feeders and sometimes girdle plants at the soil level. The 

immature are grubs that tunnel the petioles and main stalk of the plants. We believe that since they tunnel in the pith of the plant, there is no or very little yield 

loss with these insects, even under extremely heavy infestations. 

36 Soybeans

Figures 1-13. Green stink bug adult (1), green stink bug nymph (2), brown stink bug adult (3), brown stink bug nymph (4), 

southern green stink bug adult (5), southern green stink bug nymph (6), redshoulderd stink bug adult (7), redshoulderd 

stink bug nymph (8), redbanded stink bug adult (9), redbanded stink bug adult showing characteristic spine on abdomen 

(10), redbanded stink bug nymph (11), spined soldier bug adult (12), spined soldier bug nymph (13). 

Soybeans 37

Figures 14-25. Broad-headed bug (14), burrower bug (15), bandedwinged whitefly (16), threecornered alfalfa hopper adult 

(17), threecornered alfalfa hopper nymph (18), threecornered alfalfa hopper girdled main stem (19), potato leafhopper (20), 

grasshopper (21), white grub (22), Japanese beetle (23), margined blister beetle (24), striped blister beetle (25). 

38 Soybeans

Figures 26-37. Dectes stem borer adult (26), dectes stem borer larva (27), bean leaf beetle (28), bean leaf beetle feeding on 

soybean pod (29), banded cucumber beetle (30), spotted cucumber beetle (31), cucumber beetle larval feeding damage (32), 

grape colaspis adult (33), grape colaspis larva (34), whitefringed beetle (35), soybean nodule fly (36), lesser cornstalk borer 

(37). 

Soybeans 39

Figures 38-49. european corn borer (38), european corn borer damage, similar to dectes stem borer tunneling (39), corn 

earworm adult (40), corn earworm larva (41), yellowstriped armyworm (42), velvetbean caterpillar adult (43), velvetbean 

caterpillar larva (44), soybean looper adult (45), soybean looper larva (46), soybean looper defoliated field (47), painted 

lady (48), green cloverworm adult (49). 

40 Soybeans

Figures 50-61. Green cloverworm larva (50), silver-spotted skipper (51), saltmarsh caterpillar (52), beet armyworm (53), fall 

armyworm (54), alfalfa caterpillar (55), garden webworm (56), black cutworm (57), thrips (58), soybean aphid (59), spider 

mites (60), slug (61), kudzu bug nymphs (62), kudzu bug adult (63). 

Soybeans 41

Guide to Soybean Growth Stages and Growth Stage Predictor 

bloom tags covering 

R1: First flower anywhere on the 

plant. 

1 

R2: Flower in the upper (youngest) 

two nodes. 

2 

R3: 3 

⁄16-inch-long pod in upper four 

nodes. 

3 

visible pod with lower 

bloom tag removed 

R3: 3 

⁄16-inch-long pod in upper four 

nodes. 

4 

R3.5: ½-inch-long pod in upper 

four nodes. 

5 

R4: ¾-inch-long pod in upper four 

nodes. 

6 

R5: Visible seed in pod of upper 

four nodes. 

7 

R5.5: Beans filling half the 

space in the pod of 

upper four nodes. 

8 

R6: Beans touching inside pods of 

upper four nodes. 

9 

10 

11 

12 

R6.5: Pod and pod wall 

beginning to turn mature 

color. 

42 Crop Soybeans Name 

R7: Pod mature in color 

anywhere on plant. 

R8: 50 percent of the pods mature 

in color and containing mature 

seed.

How to Determine 

Soybean Growth Stage 

Concentrate on the youngest (upper) four nodes to determine soybean growth stage. 

Estimate the average growth stage for the reproductive growth (flowers and pods) on 

the youngest four nodes. Begin with the youngest fully expanded leaf (see picture 1 

right), and estimate growth stage down the next three nodes (see picture 2 below). 

Indeterminate varieties (most group 4 varieties and a few group 5 varieties) start reproductive 

growth toward the bottom of the plant. e reproductive growth progresses 

from the bottom of the plant upward as the plant produces more nodes. 

Cluster of nodes yet to 

expand above youngest 

fully expanded leaf 

PICTURE 1 

Youngest fully 

expanded leaf 

Youngest node ave ~ R2 

1 @ R1 

1 @ R3 

Youngest node ave ~ R2 

1 @ R1 

1 @ R3 

2nd node ave ~ R3 

1 @ R1 

1 @ R3 

1 @ R4 

4th node ave ~ R4 

3 @ R3 

1 @ R4 

1 @ R5 

Determinate varieties (most of our 

group 5 varieties) start reproductive 

growth uniformly up and down the 

main stem. 

Another way of thinking about this is 

that it is common to see pods in the R5 

growth stage at the bottom of plants 

and new flowers and pods at the top of 

indeterminate growth plants. Determinate 

growth plants have same-sized 

flowers and pods that grow uniformly 

up and down the stem. 

PICTURE 2 

Avg. growth stage = R3 


Vegetative and Reproductive Soybean Growth Stages 

VC: Cotyledons 

V1: Unifoliate fully emerged 

V2: First trifoliate fully 

emerged (second node) 

R4 and R4.5 at same node 

R1 – R5 at same node 

R1 

R5.2 Cross-section 

R4 

R4.5 R3 

R3.5 

R5 

R5.4 Cross-section 

Leaves / pods of R6 - R7 

plants 

R5 – R7.5 pods 

R6 

R7 

R7.5 R7 R5.7 R5 


CORN INSECT MANAGEMENT 

Managing Corn Insects 

A number of insects may attack corn, and some carry diseases. For example, aphids carry maize dwarf mosaic, and leafhoppers 

carry corn stunt. In some years heavy infestations of insects may drastically reduce yields. In other years insect populations never 

reach damaging levels. In order to prevent losses due to insect damage, you must know about the pest, its biology, and recommended 

control methods. e following information contains brief descriptions of insect pests often found in Mississippi corn 

fields. is information is presented to help you identify insect pests, the resulting damage, current economic thresholds, and control 

practices. 

to minimize the impact of pests and pest control costs, 

a. Scout fields regularly. Make careful counts of insect pest populations. 



d. Use the most cost-efficient insecticide recommended for the target pest. Apply insecticide during the most susceptible stage of 

development. 




Warning 

Information in this guide is provided for educational and planning purposes only. When using agricultural chemicals, you (the 

user) are responsible for making sure the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Before 

applying any insecticide, be sure to get current usage information. Read and follow the product label. 

Precautions 

Before using a pesticide, read the label carefully. Follow the directions. Pay attention to all precautions on the pesticide container 

label. Observe all regulations on worker protection and pesticide record-keeping. Store pesticides in plainly labeled containers 

safely away from livestock, pets, and children. Store pesticides in an area where they will not contaminate food or feed. 


e best approach for pest control is to combine all available management practices to reduce damage. Proper selection of corn 

varieties and planting dates, regular scouting for pest infestations, wise use of insecticides, timely harvest, and sanitation of crop 

residue will reduce the likelihood of insect damage. 

scouting 

Regularly scouting corn fields is the best way to find damaging insect populations. Sample at least ten consecutive plants at 

each of four to five representative sites within a field. Treatment thresholds for many corn pests are much higher than in other 

crops, such as cotton. erefore, you can generally check a fairly small number of plants to determine the presence of a particular 

pest species. If pests are present, step up scouting efforts to determine infestation levels more precisely. Corn is most open to insect 

injury in the seedling stage. From emergence until plants are approximately 10 inches tall, scout fields every 4 to 5 days. When 

plants are taller than 10 inches, sample for insect pests every week until crops mature. 

Plants less than 6 inches tall: Record the number of plants examined and the number with five or more chinch bugs. Observe 

plants for signs of feeding or wilting from cutworms or other soil insects. Cutworms often cleanly cut plants off near the soil surface. 

If cut plants are found, determine whether anticipated stand loss will reduce the plant population below acceptable levels. 

Emergence until tassel development: Look for signs of leaf feeding by caterpillars, flea beetles, or other pests on leaves within 

the whorl. As leaves emerge and unfurl from within the whorl, feeding damage usually appears as small, often regularly spaced 

holes or long scars on the leaves. Cut plants below the whorl. Check the leaves for worms. Record the species and the average number 

of worms present per plant. 

After tassel development to maturity: Concentrate plant examinations from the tassel to the ear zone of the plant. In lateplanted 

corn, look for second- and third-generation corn borers. Eggs are deposited on the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Look for 

evidence of recent feeding by small larvae on the leaf surface, at the base of the leaf, or behind the leaf sheath. When there is evidence 

of a corn borer infestation, randomly select plants from representative areas of the field and examine the stalks and ears. Larvae 

tunneling in the stalk cannot be controlled with insecticides. Corn earworms, fall armyworms, and corn borers may all be 

found in the ear, so species identification is important. 

Crop Name Corn 45

suggested Planting Dates for Corn 

South Mississippi: February 25 – March 15 South-Central: March 5 – April 10 

North-Central: March 15 – April 20 North Mississippi: March 20 – April 25 

resholds 


schedules or presence of pests is a proven method of reducing insect management costs. Effective use of thresholds requires frequent, 

intensive scouting to get accurate estimates of populations of various pest species that may be present in a field. 

Treatment threshold is the pest population level at which treatment must be applied to avoid economic loss that would be 

greater than the cost of the treatment. resholds can vary, depending on species of pest present, stage of crop development, yield 

potential of the crop, cost of the treatment, market price, populations of other pests present, number of beneficial insects, potential 

for flaring secondary pests, ability to control secondary pests, and other factors. e thresholds recommended in this guide vary according 

to pest species and stage of crop development, but fixed thresholds cannot fully consider the many other factors that can 

influence a treatment decision. 

Additional Information 

In addition to this publication, you can get several other Extension publications on corn insect biology and 

management from your county Extension agent. 

Information Sheet 864 – Corn Fertilization 

Information Sheet 1548 – Corn Plant Population 

Information Sheet 1563 – Minimizing Alflatoxin in Corn Information Sheet 866 – Corn Planting Dates 


CAUtIon: Recommendations of specific insecticides are based on information on the manufacturer's label and performance 

in a limited number of tests. Levels of insecticide resistance, environmental conditions, and methods of application by growers may 

vary widely. For this reason, insecticide performance will not always match the safety and pest control standards indicated by 

experimental data. 

Insecticides are listed alphabetically, not in order of their effectiveness. Effectiveness of a particular insecticide can vary greatly 

from field to field, depending on previous insecticide use, pest species, levels of resistance, and many other factors. A group of insecticides 

recommended for control of a specific pest will vary in cost, effectiveness against the primary target pest, and secondary 

pests controlled. When selecting insecticides, growers must consider each of these factors plus the need to rotate among different 

insecticide classes to limit insecticide resistance problems. 

Classes of insecticides: Effective resistance management requires rotation among the various classes of available insecticide 


be ineffective. Selection of an insecticide from a different class will improve the chances of obtaining control. Growers need to be 

very aware of the type of insecticide chemistry being used. Classes of insecticides recommended in this guide are identified by the 

following abbreviations: 




Diamindes – (D) METI-Acaricides – (M) 

Bt Corn 

Bt is a bacterium that occurs naturally in the soil. Bt, or Bacillus thruingensis, produces crystal-like proteins (cry proteins) that 

can kill certain insects once ingested. Bt corn hybrids express cry proteins. erefore, Bt corn hybrids are protected from certain insects, 

depending on what cry protein(s) the plant expresses. 

e Bt corn hybrids planted in the Midsouth resist southwestern corn borers, European corn borers, and sugarcane borers. Before 

2009, the commercial Bt corn hybrids expressed one protein to protect against lepidopterian pests. In 2009 Bt corn hybrids 

became available that expressed two proteins to protect against lepidopterian pests, corn earworms, and fall armyworms. In 2010, 

Bt corn hybrids became available that express multiple proteins to control these pests. 

Bt corn hybrids protected against western and northern corn rootworms are of little value in Mississippi. ey were developed 

for use in the Corn Belt and have little or no efficacy on southern corn rootworms. 

Refuge requirements for the Bt corn hybrids in cotton-growing regions depend on the number of proteins expressed in the 

plant. Bt corn hybrids expressing one protein can be planted to only 50 percent of a grower’s acreage. Bt corn hybrids expressing 

two or more proteins can be planted to 80 percent of a grower’s acreage. For specific information regarding refuge location and 

refuge configurations, see your local Extension agent or seed dealer. 

46 Corn

traits and Refuge Requirements for Commercial Hybrids Containing Bt technology 

Refuge 

trademark Abbreviation Proteins/traits 

target Insect Pest(s) 

Requirements 

Cry3Bb1 + RR2 + Cry1A.105 + 

corn rootworm, corn borer spp., corn earworm, 

Genuity SmartStax VT3P/HXX 

Cry2Ab2 + Cry34Ab1 + Cry35Ab1 20% 1 fall armyworm 

+ Cry1F + LL 

Genuity VT Triple Pro 

VT3P 

Cry3Bb1 + RR2 + Cry1A.105 + 

Cry2Ab2 

20% 1 corn rootworm, corn borer spp., corn earworm, 

fall armyworm 

Genuity VT Double Pro VTPRR2 Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 + RR2 20% 2 corn borer spp., corn earworm, fall armyworm 

Roundup Ready Corn 2 RR2 RR2 0% --- 

Herculex Rootworm 

CRW (HXRW) 

Cry34Ab1 + Cry35Ab1 + LL + 

RR2 

20% 1 corn rootworm 

Herculex I Bt (HX1) Cry1F + LL + RR2 50% 2 corn borer spp., fall armyworm 

Herculex Xtra 

CRW (HXRW)+Bt(Hx1) 

Cry34Ab1 + Cry35Ab1 + Cry1F + 

LL + RR2 

50% 1 corn rootworm, corn borer spp., fall armyworm 

Agrisure CB/LL/GT 

CB/LL/GT 

Cry1Ab + glufosinate tolerance + 

glyphosate tolerance 

50% 2 corn borer spp. 

Agrisure CB/LL/RW 

CB/LL/RW 

Cry1Ab + modified Cry3A + 

glufosinate tolerance 

50% 1 corn rootworm, corn borer spp. 

Agrisure 3000GT 

CB/LL/RR/RW/GT 

Cry1Ab + modified Cry3A + glufosinate 

tolerance + glyphosate 

tolerance 

50% 1 corn rootworm, corn borer spp. 

Agrisure Viptera 3110 

CB/LL/Viptera/GT 

Cry1Ab + Vip3A + glufosinate 

tolerance + glyphosate tolerance 

20% 2 corn borer spp., corn earworm, fall armyworm 


CB/LL/RW/Viptera/GT 

Cry1Ab + modified Cry3A + 

Vip3A + glufosinate tolerance + 

glyphosate tolerance 

20% 1 corn rootworm, corn borer spp., corn earworm, 

fall armyworm 

Optimum Intrasect YGCB/HX1/LL/RR2 Cry1Ab+Cry1F + LL + RR2 20% 2 corn borer spp., fall armyworm 

Optimum Leptra 

Optimum TRIsect 

Agrisure 3122 


HX1/YGCB/Viptera/LL/RR2 

RW/HX1/LL/RR2 

RW/CB/LL/HX1/HXRW/GT 

CB/LL/GT/Viptera/HX1 

Cry1F + Cry1Ab + Vip3A + 

glyfosinate tolerance + glyphosate 

tolerance 

Modified Cry3A + Cry1F + LL + 

RR2 

Modified Cry3A + Cry1Ab + 

Cry1F + Cry34Ab1 + Cry35Ab1 + 

LL + RR2 

Cry1Ab + Vip3A + glufosinate 

tolerance + glyphosate tolerance + 

Cry1F 





Agrisure GT GT glyphosate tolerance 0% --- 

1 Within field or adjacent to field. 2 Within field, adjacent to field, or up to ½ mile away. Examples of refuge deployment options are illustrated on the following page. 

Corn 47

Refuge Deployment options 

When both rootworm and caterpillar traits are present in a hybrid, growers are required to follow refuge requirements and deployment 

strategies that satisfy the criteria for both. For example, if a field is planted to a hybrid that has a single caterpillar trait 

(requires 50% refuge up to ½ mile away) and a single rootworm trait (requires 20% refuge within field or adjacent to the field) the 

total refuge for that field has to be 50%. ere are several ways that this can be accomplished. e entire 50% refuge can be 

planted within the field or adjacent to the field. Another possibility is that 20% of the refuge may be planted within the field or adjacent 

to the field and the remaining 30% within ½ mile of the field. Examples of refuge deployment options are illustrated here. 

Blended refuge corn products (refuge, i.e., non-Bt seed mixed with Bt) may be encountered. is refuge strategy was developed 

for the Midwest. If these products are planted, a separate structured refuge (as in the examples below) is still required. 

Block 

Perimeter 

Strip 

Within field deployment configurations. All must be at least four rows wide. 

Adjacent 

Within adjacent 

Adjacent to field deployment configurations. All must be at least four rows wide. 

1/2 mile option 

Non-adjacent deployment configuration. Must be at least four rows wide. 

48 Crop Corn Name

Relative efficacy of Corn seed treatments for Control of seedling Insect Pests 

Relative efficacy of the seed treatment 1 

Common name, Rate Corn White Wire- seed-corn Cut- sugar- southern Brown Chinch southern Western Lesser 

Trade Names Billbug Grubs worms Maggot worm 2 cane Beetle Green stinkbug Bug Corn Corn Cornstalk 

stinkbug Rootworm 2 Rootworm Borer 

clothianidin 

Poncho 250 0.25 mg NL F G G P-F F F NL G E NL G, NL 

or Acceleron 3 a.i./ kernel 

Poncho 500 or 0.50 mg F G G E P-F G G NL G-E E P,NL G, NL 

Acceleron with a.i./ kernel 

Poncho VOTiVO 4 

Poncho 1250 1.25 mg G E E E F-G G G G, NL E E G E, NL 

or Acceleron 3 a.i./ kernel 

thiamethoxam 

Cruiser 0.25 mg NL F G E P P P NL F G-E, NL NL G, NL 

Extreme 250 3 a.i./ kernel 

Cruiser Extreme 500 3 0.5 mg NL G G E P P F NL F E NL G, NL 

or Avicta Complete a.i./ kernel 

Corn 4 

Cruiser 1.25 mg G E E E F P G NL G E P E, NL 

Extreme 1250 3 a.i./ kernel 

imidacloprid 

Gaucho 600, Imida 0.60mg NL G G E P, NL P,NL P,NL NL F G, NL NL NL 

E-AG 5 FST, Senator, a.i./ kernel 5 

Imidacloprid 5, 

Attendant 600 

Latitude 3 3.5 oz./cwt NL F, NL G G NL NL NL NL F, NL G, NL NL NL 

Concur 3 1.5 oz./ 42 lb. seed NL F G G NL NL NL NL F, NL G, NL NL NL 

permethrin 

Kernel Guard Supreme 3 1.5 oz./ NL F, NL P? F NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL 

or Kickstart VP 3 42 lb. seed 

1 

E = highly effective, G = effective, F = inconsistent results, P = not effective, based on trials in the Southeastern U.S.; L = insect is on the label for this product; NL = insect is not on the label for this product. 

In this case, it is best to assume that the product is ineffective against that particular pest, unless there is specific knowledge to the contrary about product efficacy in the Southeast. 

2 

In the Southeast, several species of cutworms overwinter as medium- to large-sized larvae. ey may be capable of cutting considerable numbers of seedlings before they eat a lethal dose of the insecticide. 

Black cutworm, the cutworm that appears on the label of most of these products, has a different life cycle in which eggs are laid in the spring, so that black cutworm larvae will be small if they have hatched 

out by the time the corn is planted. Southern corn rootworm larvae are a seedling pest, not a midseason pest like western corn rootworm larvae. 

3 

Product name as marketed includes fungicides. 

4 

Product name as marketed includes fungicides and a nematicide. Avicta Complete Corn contains the nematicide abamectin, Acceleron with VOTiVO contains the nematicide Bacillus firmus I-1582. 

5 

Other rates for this active ingredient are available. See label. 

is table is published in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Corn IPM Guide, which is part of the Alabama Pest Management Handbook Vol. 1, http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0500-A/. 

It is revised annually. 

Relative efficacy of selected Bt Corn Products 

traits/Brands Primary target Pests Corn borers Cutworms Corn earworms Fall armyworms Western corn 

rootworms 

YieldGard Corn Borer, 

Agrisure CB/LL Corn borers Excellent Poor Fair Fair-Good None 

Herculex I Corn borers Excellent Good Poor Good None 

YieldGard VT Triple 

Herculex XTRA 

Genuity VT Pro 

Genuity VT Triple Pro 

Genuity SmartStax 

Corn borers, 

corn rootworms Excellent Poor Fair Fair-Good Excellent 

Corn borers, 

corn rootworms Excellent Good Poor Good Excellent 

Corn borers, 

other caterpillar pests Excellent Poor Very Good Excellent None 

Corn borers, 

corn rootworms, 

other caterpillar pests Excellent Poor Very Good Excellent Excellent 

Corn borers, 

corn rootworms, 

other caterpillar pests Excellent Good Very Good Excellent Excellent 

Corn borers, 

None unless stacked 

Agrisure Viptera other caterpillar pests Excellent Good Excellent Excellent with rootworm 

resistance 

Parts of this table are courtesy of Auburn University Publication 2009IPM-428 (Insect, Disease, Nematode, and Weed Control Recommendations for 2009). 

Crop Name Corn 49

Pests Belowground 

Southern Corn Rootworms, Seedcorn Maggots, Sugarcane Beetles, Lesser Corn Stalk Borers, 

Corn Billbugs, White Grubs, Wireworms, Cutworms 

Most insects that attack plants at or beneath the soil surface are most damaging to corn in the seedling stage. Although many of 

these insects may damage older plants, seedling corn is the most likely to be injured. Many late-season pests can usually be avoided 

by early planting. Early planting reduces the chances of insect infestations and increases yield potential. A major factor in corn insect 

pest management is controlling soil insects that threaten corn stands and overall plant health. e occurrence of soil insects is 

often spotty. But certain factors, such as reduced tillage, no-till corn, and fields with a history of soil insects warrant the use of insecticides 

or seed treatments at planting. e use of these products is justified when the potential for infestation is high and when 

rescue treatments offer less control. ese products are used for prevention. 

southern Corn Rootworms 

e adult southern corn rootworm is also known as the twelve-spotted cucumber beetle. Adults are found on many plants 

throughout the growing season. Females deposit their eggs at the base of the plants. Upon hatching, the larvae move into the root 

zone and begin feeding. e larva is about one-half inch long when full sized. It has three pairs of small legs just behind the head 

and brownish patches on the head and tail end. 

DAMAGe: Larvae damage corn seedlings by feeding on and tunneling inside the roots. Larvae may also bore inside the stem just 

above the roots to feed on the crown of the plants, eventually killing the bud. Damaged plants often wilt, and you can find evidence 

of rootworm feeding if you dig up the plant and examine the root system. Severe feeding and root pruning may cause plants 

to lodge. is is often called “goose necking.” 

ContRoL: Pre-emergence insecticides are recommended when planting after a legume crop. Treated seed will also offer control 

of southern corn rootworms. 

tHResHoLD: Treatment is preventive. See the table on page 50 for products used to control/suppress belowground pests. 

seedcorn Maggots 

e seedcorn maggot is the larval stage of a fly. It feeds on decaying organic matter in the soil. Larvae are less than one-fourth 

inch long, pale white, and they lack legs or an obvious head. 

DAMAGe: is pest attacks the germinating seed planted in cool, wet weather or corn planted to fields with freshly decaying 

vegetation. Heavy infestations will reduce stands and cause stunting of the plants. 

ContRoL: Damage can be prevented with the use of soil insecticides at planting or seed treatments. 


sugarcane Beetles 

is insect occurs sporadically from year to year. is beetle is black and about one-half inch long. When this pest is abundant, 

it can destroy stands in isolated fields. Control of this pest has been inconsistent with soil insecticides. 

DAMAGe: e sugarcane beetle feeds on the stem at or slightly below the soil surface. Feeding damage appears as a ragged hole 

in the base of the stem. 

ContRoL: e use of soil insecticides at planting or seed treatments may suppress sugarcane beetle infestations. 

tHResHoLD:: Treatment is preventive. See the table on page 50 for products used to control/suppress belowground pests. 

Lesser Cornstalk Borers 

Infestations of lesser corn stalk borers occur most often during dry weather conditions in sandy soils. Sometimes silken tubes 

containing larvae can be found attached to plants when they are dug up for inspection. Larvae are slender and greenish, and usually 

wiggle violently when disturbed. 

DAMAGe: Larvae damage the corn plant by boring into the base of the stem. Damage can cause deadheart and may greatly reduce 

stands. Plants that experience deadheart die or are severely stunted and never produce a harvestable ear. 

ContRoL: e use of soil insecticides at planting or seed treatments offer control/suppression of infestations. 


Corn Billbugs 

e larvae of billbugs (snout-beetles) feed on roots and bore into the stems of corn plants. 

DAMAGe: Feeding by the adults will appear as a row of holes across the leaf when it unfurls. 

ContRoL: Soil insecticides at planting or seed treatments offer some control/suppression of infestations. 


50 Crop Corn Name

White Grubs 

White grubs are the larvae of May or June beetles. ey are C-shaped and white to cream in color. Adult beetles lay their eggs 

in grass or sod. 

DAMAGe: e damage caused by white grubs is similar to that of corn rootworm larvae. 


tHResHoLD: Treatment is preventive. See the table below for products used to control/suppress belowground pests. 

Wireworms 

Wireworms are the larval stages of click beetles. e larvae are elongated, slender, and usually brown. Depending on species, 

larvae may take 2 to 5 years to mature. is pest is often difficult to control in fields that were fallow or in pasture before being 

planted in corn. Large larvae in the field at planting are the most destructive. 

DAMAGe: Wireworm larvae feed on the seeds and roots and will bore into the underground portion of the plants. is boring 

may lead to deadheart, a condition that severely stunts or kills the plant. 


tHResHoLD: Treatment is preventive. See the table below for products used to control/suppress belowground pests. 

Belowground Pests of Corn 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Application and Comments 


clothianidin (CN ) 

Poncho 250 

Poncho 500 


Gaucho 600 


Cruiser 5FS 

In Furrow, Banded, 

or t-Banded 


Capture LFR 

chlorpyrifos (OP) 

Lorsban 15G 

phorate (OP) 

imet 20G 

phosphorothioate (OP) 

Aztec 2.1G 

tefluthrin (P) 

Force 3G 

terbufos (OP) 

Counter 15G 

0.25 mg ai/ kernel 




0.2 – 0.4 oz./1,000 row ft. 

8 oz. /1,000 row ft. 

4.5 – 6.0 oz./1,000 row ft. 

6.7 oz. /1,000 row ft. 

3 – 4 oz./1,000 row ft. 

6 – 8 oz. /1,000 row ft. 

Commercially treated seed. 

Can be applied on-farm or treated commercially. 


Applied in-furrow, T-banded, or banded. 

Recommended use as t-band application. 

Lorsban 15G is compatible with all ALS inhibitor herbicides applied in accordance with the label. 

Do not use for in-furrow application. Banded: Place granules in a 7-inch band over the row or directly behind the planter shoe in front of or 

behind the press wheel and lightly incorporate. Accent® herbicide and Beacon® herbicide may be applied after banded applications of imet 

20G Lock’n Load. 

Apply as a 3- to 4-inch band. 

Banded: Place granules in a 7-inch band directly behind planter shoe in front of or behind press wheel. Do not apply product as a band or T- 

band unless it can be incorporated into the top 1 inch of soil using tines, chains, or other suitable equipment. 

In-furrow treatment only. ALs-inhibiting herbicides should not be used if Counter 15G has been applied at the time of planting. see 

product label for additional information. 

Crop Name Corn 51

Pests Aboveground 

Cutworms 

Insecticide 


or t-Banded 


Lorsban 15G 

Amount of 


8 oz./1,000 

row ft. 

Pounds Active 





only provides cutworm control when t-banded. 


phosphorothioate (OP) 

Aztec 2.1G 

6.7 oz./1,000 

row ft. 

Apply as a 3- to 4-inch band. 


Force 3G 

Foliar sprays 



3 – 4 oz./1,000 

row ft. 

0.8 – 1.6 oz. 

0.007 – 0.013 

160 – 80 

Banded: Place granules in a 7-inch band directly behind planter shoe in front of or behind 

press wheel. Do not apply product as a band or T-band unless it can be incorporated into the 

top 1 inch of soil using tines, chains, or other suitable equipment. 


Bifenture EC 

Brigade 2EC 


Fanfare 2EC 

2.1 – 6.4 oz 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

0.033 – 0.1 

0.033 – 0.1 

0.033 – 0.1 

0.033 – 0.1 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

For best control, direct sprays toward base of the plants. Apply with a minimum of 15 

gallons of water per acre. 


Lorsban 4E 

1 – 2 pt. 

0.5 – 1.0 

8 – 4 

Lorsban may not work as well if the top of soil is dry and crusty. Some incorporation may 

be necessary. Do not spray liquid Lorsban formulations in-furrow. ey can injure corn. 

cyfluthrin (P) 

Tombstone 2E 

0.8 – 1.6 oz. 

0.013 – 0.025 

160 – 80 



5.8 – 9.6 oz. 

0.03 – 0.05 

22 – 13 



0.77 – 1.28 oz. 

0.0075 – 0.0125 

166 – 100 

CEW rate is 0.77 – 1.28 oz./ac or 0.0075 – 0.0125 lb. ai/ac for cutworms. 


Karate Z 2.08 

Lambda-Cy 1EC 

Silencer 1EC 

0.96 – 1.60 oz. 

1.92 – 3.20 oz. 

1.92 – 3.20 oz. 

0.015 – 0.025 

0.015 – 0.025 

0.015 – 0.025 

133 – 80 

66.7 – 40 

66.7 – 40 


Ambush 2EC 

Pounce 3.2EC 

6.4 – 12.8 oz. 

4 – 8 oz. 

0.1 – 0.2 

0.1 – 0.2 

20 – 10 

32 – 16 



1.28 – 2.8 oz. 

0.008 – 0.0175 

100 – 45.7 



Hero 1.24EC 

2.1 – 6.1 oz. 

0.025 – 0.06 

61 – 21 



Besiege 

5 – 10 oz. 

25.6 – 12.8 

Several species of CUtWoRMs attack corn seedlings. e black cutworm is the most common pest from this group. Depending 

on species, most cutworms overwinter in the soil as larvae or pupae. e female moths tend to deposit their eggs in low places 

or areas of the fields that have been flooded. Eggs may be deposited alone or in small clusters on the leaves and stems of young 

plants. Bt corn hybrids vary in their efficacy against cutworms. Transgenic hybrids containing the Cry1F protein are rated GOOD 

in terms of cutworm control. 

DAMAGe: Depending on growth stage, larvae of the cutworm feed one of three ways. Young larvae (first and second instars) 

feed on the leaf surface, giving it a scuffed appearance. Late second and third instars eat holes in the leaves. Larger larvae move into 

the soil and feed by cutting plants at the soil surface. 

ContRoL: Seedbed preparation and weed control help control cutworms. Cutworm infestations are rare in fields kept weedfree 

by cultivation or herbicides 2 to 3 weeks before planting. 

tHResHoLD: treat with foliar sprays if populations threaten to reduce stands below acceptable levels. Infestations 

causing 5 percent or greater “cutting” of seedling corn generally justify treatment with insecticides. 

52 Crop Corn Name

Chinch 

Bugs 

Insecticide 



Poncho 250 


Gaucho 

Amount of 


0.25 mg 

ai/kernel 

0.64 mg 

ai/ kernel 

Pounds Active 






Can be applied on farm or treated commercially. 


Cruiser 5FS 

0.25 – 0.5 mg 

ai/kernel 



or t-Banded 


Lorsban 15G 


Force 3G 

8 oz./1,000 

row ft. 

4 – 5 oz./1,000 

row ft. 


Suppression only. 

Banded: Place granules in a 7-inch band directly behind planter shoe in front of or behind press 

wheel. Do not apply product as a band or T-band unless it can be incorporated into the top 1 inch 

of soil using tines, chains, or other suitable equipment. 

terbufos (OP) 

Counter 15G 

6 – 8 oz./1,000 

row ft. 

Controls early-season light to moderate populations of chinch bugs. Do not exceed 8.7 lb. Counter 15G 

per acre. Banded: Place granules in a 7-inch band over the row, in front of the press wheel and incorporate 

evenly into top 1 inch of soil. In-furrow: Place granules directly in the seed furrow behind the planter shoe. 

ALS-inhibiting herbicides SHOULD NOT be used if Counter 15G has been applied at planting. 

Foliar sprays 



1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

0.013 – 0.022 

80 – 45.7 


Bifenture 2EC 

Brigade 2EC 


Fanfare 2EC 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

0.033 – 0.1 

0.033 – 0.1 

0.033 – 0.1 

0.033 – 0.1 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

For best control, direct sprays toward base of the plants. Apply with a minimum of 15 

gallons of water per acre. 

carbaryl (C) 

Sevin XLR 4L 

32 – 64 oz. 

1 – 2 

4 – 2 



Besiege 

5 – 10 oz. 

25.6 – 12.8 


Lorsban 4E 

16 – 32 oz. 

0.5 – 1.0 

8 – 4 

Do not apply by air in Mississippi. 


Tombstone 2EC 

1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

0.025 – 0.044 

80 – 45.7 



5.8 – 9.6 oz. 

0.03 – 0.05 

22 – 13 



1.54 oz. 

0.015 

83 

CEW rate is 1.54 oz./ac or 0.015 ai/ac for chinch bugs. 



Lambda-Cy 1EC 

Silencer 1EC 

1.92 oz. 

3.84 oz. 

3.84 oz. 

0.03 

0.03 

0.03 

66.7 

33 

33 



3.2 – 4.0 oz. 

0.02 – 0.025 

40 – 32 

bifenthrin (P) + Z- 

cypermethrin (P) 

Hero 1.24EC 

4.0 – 10.3 oz. 

0.04 – 0.10 

32 – 12.4 

e adult CHInCH BUG is about one-fifth of an inch long and black with white patches on the wings. Nymphs are reddish-orange with a 

white band across their backs. Later instar nymphs turn darker and resemble adults as they mature. Chinch bugs overwinter on wild grasses and move 

into fields to feed on young plants. is pest is more likely to cause problems in dry years. Seedling plants are most susceptible to injury. 

DAMAGe: Adults and nymphs damage the plant by piercing the plant and sucking the plant juices. Extensive feeding causes plants to wilt; 

seedlings may die. Plants that survive heavy infestations are stunted and will develop slowly. 

ContRoL: Soil-applied insecticides and seed treatments provide control/suppression of chinch bugs. When you use foliar-applied insecticides, 

thorough coverage is essential. 

tHResHoLD: Count both adults and nymphs when scouting for this pest. Look for chinch bugs at the base of the plant and behind the 

leaf sheaths. treatments are recommended for plants that are up to 6 inches tall when 20 percent or more of the plants have five or more 

chinch bugs per plant. Plants that are growing and healthy and taller than 6 inches can tolerate higher populations of chinch bugs. 

Crop Name Corn 53

Stink 

Bugs 

Insecticide 

Foliar sprays 



Amount of 


1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.013 – 0.022 



80 – 45.7 



Bifenture 2EC 

Brigade 2EC 


Fanfare 2EC 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

0.033 – 0.010 

0.033 – 0.010 

0.033 – 0.010 

0.033 – 0.010 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 



Hero 1.24EC 

4.0 – 10.3 oz. 

0.04 – 0.10 

47 – 32 


Tombstone 2EC 

1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

0.025 – 0.044 

80 – 45.7 



1.02 – 1.54 oz. 

0.01 – 0.015 

125 – 83 



Lambda-Cy 1EC 

Silencer 1EC 

1.28 – 1.92 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

100 – 66.7 

50 – 33 

50 – 33 



Besiege 

5 – 10 oz. 

25.6 – 12.8 



2.72 – 4.0 oz. 

0.017 – 0.025 

32 – 12.4 

Z-cypermethrin (P), 


Stallion 

3.75 – 11.75 oz. 

34.1 – 10.9 

Several species of stInK BUGs occasionally attack corn and cause extensive damage. Stink bugs can be found feeding in the 

whorl of young plants or on developing ears before silking. Populations of stink bugs are often higher following mild winters. 

DAMAGe: Damage from stink bugs feeding on seedling and whorl stage corn may cause the whorl to turn yellow or even kill 

the plant. Feeding during ear development (about 2 weeks before silking) may result in total ear loss or what is called “cow-horned” 

ears. Stink bugs also feed on the developing ears, piercing the shuck to feed on individual kernels. 

ContRoL: When you use foliar-applied insecticides, thorough coverage is essential. 

tHResHoLD: treat corn shorter than 2 feet tall when 10 percent of the plants have one or more stink bugs present. For 

protection during ear development (before silking), treat when 5 percent of plants have stink bugs at or before ear shoot 

development. treatments are not recommended for stink bug control at or beyond the silking stage. Pyrethroids are less 

effective on brown stink bugs. 

54 Corn

Aphids 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 







Poncho 250 

0.25 mg 

ai/kernel 



Gaucho 600 


Cruiser 5FS 

0.64 mg 

ai/kernel 

0.25 mg 

ai/kernel 

Can be applied on-farm or treated commercially. 


Foliar sprays 


Bifenture 2EC 

Brigade 2EC 


Fanfare 2EC 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 



5.8 – 9.6 oz. 

0.03 – 0.05 

22 – 13 



1.02 – 1.54 oz. 

0.01 – 0.015 

125 – 80 



Lambda-Cy 1EC 

Silencer 1EC 

1.28 – 1.92 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

100 – 66.7 

50 – 33 

50 – 33 



2.72 – 4.0 oz. 

0.017 – 0.025 

47 – 32 

Control may vary depending on species and host-plant relationships. 



Hero 1.24EC 

4.0 – 10.3 oz. 

0.025 – 0.10 

32 – 12.4 

APHIDs (plant lice) are soft-bodied insects that feed by sucking plant juices. e corn leaf aphid is the most common aphid 

found in corn, but several other species may also occur. 

DAMAGe: Aphids can be found in clusters on the leaves or in the whorl. Heavy infestations may cause sticky “honeydew” on 

leaves. 

ContRoL: Beneficial insects usually control aphid populations in the field. Insecticide treatments are seldom warranted. Aphids 

are parasitized by small parasitoid wasps and are susceptible to a fungal disease. Parasitized aphids are usually brown and larger than 

other aphids in the colony. 

tHResHoLD: Very young corn plants (shorter than 3 inches) may require treatment when an average of 10 or more corn 

leaf aphids are present. Control measures are not typically recommended because infestations rarely cause yield reductions. 

Corn 55

Corn 

Earworms/ 

Armyworms 

Insecticide 

Foliar sprays 


Prevathon 


Belt 4SC 

Amount of 


14 – 20 oz. 

2 – 3 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.047 – 0.067 

0.063 – 0.094 



9 – 6 

64 – 43 




Besiege 

5 – 10 oz. 

25.6 – 12.8 

methomyl (C) 

Lannate 90SP 

12 – 24 oz. 

0.225 – 0.45 

11 – 5 


Radiant SC 

3 – 6 oz. 

0.023 – 0.047 

42.7 – 21.3 

Except yellow-striped armyworms. 


Blackhawk 

(for corn earworm) 

Blackhawk 

(for fall armyworm) 

2.2 – 3.3 oz. 

1.67 – 3.3 oz. 

0.05 – 0.074 

0.038 – 0.074 

7.3 – 4.8 

9.6 – 4.8 

Pyrethroids may not control bollworms. It is recommended to use only the highest labeled rate of pyrethroids. 

CoRn eARWoRMs and FALL ARMyWoRMs are common pests that feed in the whorl before tassel. It is very important 

to identify the species present in the field properly because some products recommended for corn earworms will not control fall 

armyworms. Choose an insecticide effective against the complex of caterpillars when both species are present and control is necessary. 

Corn earworm larvae vary greatly in color, from light green or pink to dark brown with alternating light and dark stripes running 

lengthwise on the body. e surface of the larva is covered with small thorn-like projections (hairs). e fall armyworm has a 

darker head capsule with a prominent white inverted Y. is is a distinguishing characteristic of the fall armyworm. 

DAMAGe: Corn plants can tolerate considerable amounts of damage from whorl-feeding caterpillars. Populations seldom build 

to damaging levels unless corn is planted after the recommended planting dates. Feeding by heavy, sustained infestations may lead 

to deadheart and can reduce yield. 

ContRoL: Timely planting is the preferred method of management. Plants in the seedling to early-whorl stage are the most susceptible 

to damage. Check plants in this early-whorl stage regularly if planted after April 25. Whorl-feeding insects are in a protected 

area, and the use of adequate spray volume is critical to get control. Apply insecticides in a minimum of 15 gallons of spray volume 

per acre. Set nozzles to spray directly in the whorl. Aerial application will not give good control of worms feeding in the whorl. Several 

of the new Bt corn technologies are effective at controlling corn earworms and fall armyworms in corn ears. However, reinfestation 

levels can vary greatly, and the impact of corn earworm and fall armyworm ear feeding has not been fully investigated. 

tHResHoLD: treatments are warranted when you detect an average of one or more larvae per plant from emergence to 

mid-whorl stage. It is not considered economical to treat for corn earworms or fall armyworms in the ear. 

56 Crop Corn Name

European 

Corn 

Borers 

Insecticide 

Foliar sprays 



Amount of 


1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.013 – 0.022 



80 – 45.7 



Bifenture EC 

Brigade 2EC 


Fanfare 2EC 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 



Hero 1.24EC 

4 – 10.3 oz. 

0.04 – 0.10 

32 – 12.4 


Prevathon 

14 – 20 oz. 

0.047 – 0.067 

9 – 6 



Besiege 

5 – 10 oz. 

25.6 – 12.8 


Tombstone 2EC 

1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

0.025 – 0.044 

80 – 45.7 



7.8 – 9.6 oz. 

0.03 – 0.05 

16 – 13 


Belt 4SC 

2 – 3 oz. 

0.063 – 0.094 

64 – 43 



1.02 – 1.54 oz. 

0.01 – 0.015 

125.5 – 83 



Lambda-Cy 1EC 

Silencer 1EC 

1.28 – 1.92 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

100 – 66.7 

50 – 33.3 

50 – 33.3 


Intrepid 2F 

4 – 8 oz. 

0.06 – 0.12 

32 – 16 


Ambush 2EC 

Pounce 3.2EC 

6.4 – 12.8 oz. 

4 – 8 oz. 

0.1 – 0.2 

0.1 – 0.2 

20 – 10 

32 – 16 


Radiant SC 

3 – 6 oz. 

0.023 – 0.047 

42.7 – 21.3 


Blackhawk 

1.67 – 3.3 oz. 

0.038 – 0.074 

9.6 – 4.8 



2.72 – 4.0 oz. 

0.017 – 0.025 

47 – 32 



Stallion 

3.75 – 11.75 

34.1 – 10.9 

eURoPeAn CoRn BoReRs are found mostly in north Mississippi. e larvae are gray or tan with rows of light brown 

spots. Normally there are three generations per year in Mississippi. First-generation corn borers attack plants in the early stages of 

development. Second- and third-generation corn borers may cause plant lodging and ear drop. 

DAMAGe: Feeding signs show up as rows of pinholes or rectangular lesions in the leaf as it unfolds from the whorl. Larvae begin 

boring into the stalk tissue at about 10 days old. After entering the stalk, larvae may tunnel throughout the plant, including the ear 

shank. 

ContRoL: To achieve adequate control, apply insecticide to prevent tunneling when you find egg masses or young larvae. Good 

coverage is a must for satisfactory control. Insecticides must be applied before larvae enter the stalk. Fall tillage reduces overwintering 

populations of corn borers. Bt corn provides excellent control for European and Southwestern corn borers. Current regulations 

allow for only 50 percent (50 percent refuge) of the corn acreage in cotton-producing regions to be planted to Bt corn that expresses 

only one lepidopteran active protein. Bt corn hybrids that express two or more lepidopteran active proteins require only a 20 

percent refuge. When using pyrethroids for control, multiple applications are usually required because of extended egg laying and 

short residual of products. 

tHResHoLD: Apply insecticides when larvae or egg masses are present on 50 percent or more of the plants. Good coverage 

is essential for satisfactory control and insecticides must be applied before larvae enter the stalk. 

Crop Name Corn 57

Southwestern 

Corn 

Borers 

Insecticide 

Foliar sprays 




Bifenture 2EC 

Brigade 2EC 


Fanfare 2EC 

Amount of 


1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

2.1 – 6.4 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.013 – 0.022 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 

0.033 – 0.10 



80 – 45.7 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 

61 – 20 




Hero 1.24EC 

4 – 10.3 oz. 

0.04 – 0.10 

32 – 12.4 


Prevathon 

14 – 20 oz. 

0.047 – 0.067 

9 – 6 



Besiege 

5 – 10 oz. 

25.6 – 12.8 


Tombstone 2EC 

1.6 – 2.8 oz. 

0.025 – 0.044 

80 – 45.7 



7.8 – 9.6 oz. 

0.03 – 0.05 

16 – 13 


Belt SC 

2 – 3 oz. 

0.0625 – 0.094 

64 – 43 



1.02 – 1.54 oz. 

0.01 – 0.015 

125.5 – 83 



Lambda-Cy 1EC 

Silencer 1EC 

1.28 – 1.92 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

100 – 66.7 

50 – 33.3 

50 – 33.3 


Intrepid 2F 

4 – 8 oz. 

0.06 – 0.12 

32 – 16 


Ambush 2EC 

Pounce 3.2EC 

6.4 – 12.8 oz. 

4 – 8 oz. 

0.1 – 0.2 

0.1 – 0.2 

20 – 10 

32 – 16 


Radiant SC 

3 – 6 oz. 

0.023 – 0.047 

42.7 – 21.3 


Blackhawk 

2.2 – 3.3 oz. 

0.05 – 0.074 

7.3 – 4.8 



2.72 – 4.0 oz. 

0.017 – 0.025 

47 – 32 



Stallion 

3.75 – 11.75 oz. 

34.1 – 10.9 

e soUtHWesteRn CoRn BoReR occurs statewide but is now more abundant in the Delta than in other areas of the 

state. Larvae are white with distinct black spots covering the body. ere are three generations of SWCB each year. Part of the second 

generation and all of the third generation will overwinter. Pheromone traps can be used to detect peak emergence for each generation. 

ese traps can also be used as an indicator for intensified scouting efforts in the field. 

DAMAGe: SWCB causes plant damage by leaf feeding, stalk tunneling, ear feeding, and girdling the base of the plant. Young larvae 

will feed in the whorl or on leaves for about 10 days before boring into the stalk. Overwintering larvae will girdle the inside of the stalk 

at the base of the plants, just above the soil line. e girdling causes lodging of plants, especially in late-planted corn. Fields with a high 

percentage of lodging will slow harvest operations. 

ContRoL: Corn planted within the recommended planting dates and harvested in a timely fashion will generally not be susceptible 

to girdling damage by the third generation corn borers. To achieve adequate control, you must apply insecticide to prevent tunneling 

while there are egg masses or young larvae. Good coverage is essential for satisfactory control. Insecticides must be applied before larvae 

enter the stalk. Fall tillage is also an important management practice to reduce overwintering populations of corn borers. Bt corn provides 

excellent control for European and Southwestern corn borers. Current regulations only allow for 50 percent (50 percent refuge) of 

the corn acreage in cotton-producing regions to be planted to Bt corn that expresses only one lepidopteran active protein. Bt corn hybrids 

that express two or more lepidopteran active proteins require only a 20 percent refuge. 

tHResHoLD: 

V1 

1 Leaf 

58 Corn 

V2 

2 Leaf 

Vnth 

Nth Leaf 

VT 

Tassel 

Treat 7-10 days after moth traps average 50 per trap on a 7- 

day catch from V1-Vnth. Or when plants average 5 percent 

corn borer egg masses or larval infestations per plant. 

R1 

Silk 

R2 

Blister 

R3 

Milk 

Treat 7-10 days after moth traps average 100 

per trap on a 7-day catch from R1-R3. Or 

when plants average 10 percent corn borer 

egg masses or larval infestations per plant. 

R4 

Dough 

R5 

Dent 

Do not tReAt 

R6 

Black Layer

Figures 1-13. Wire worms (1), white grubs (2), seedcorn maggots (3), corn root aphids (4), corn leaf aphids (5), greenbugs 

(6), southern corn rootworm damage (7), southern corn rootworm immature (8), southern corn rootworm adult (9), dead 

heart plant from southern corn rootworm feeding (10), slug (11), thrips injury (12), black cutworm and damage (13). 

Corn 59

Figures 14-25. Cutworm climbing young plant (14), chinch bug immatures (15), chinch bug adult (16), sugarcane beetle 

(17), sugarcane beetle damage (18), stunted plants from sugarcane beetles (19), billbug (20), southwestern corn borer eggs 

(21), southwestern corn borer leaf etching (22), southwestern corn borer larva (23), southwestern corn borer stalk damage 

(24), overwintering southwestern corn borer larva (25). 

60 Corn

Figures 26-37. Girdled stalk by southwestern corn borer (26), southwestern corn borer moth (27), european corn borer larva 

(28), ear shank tunneling by european corn borer (29), female and male european corn borer moths (30), sugarcane borer 

tunneling stalk (31), lesser cornstalk borer larva (32), true armyworm larva (33), fall armyworm larva (34), fall armyworm 

damaged whorl (35), fall armyworm larvae in ear showing inverted y on head capsule (36), corn earworm egg on silks (37). 

Corn 61

Figures 38-49. Corn earworm damaged whorl (38), corn earworm larva on ear (39), corn earworm larva ear tip damage (40), 

corn earworm moth (41), brown stink bug adult (42), green stink bug adult (43), stink bug damage (44), “cow horned” ears 

by stink bug (45), grasshopper (46), Japanese beetle feeding on silks (47), chocolate milk worm (48), chocolate milk worm 

damage to ear (49). 

62 Corn

GRAIN SORGHUM INSECT MANAGEMENT 

General Comments and Guidelines 

You can expect maximum yield production of grain sorghum by following recommended production practices. One key component 

should be applying proper control measures according to economic thresholds. Scout fields at least weekly, depending on 

growth stage and the possibility for insect pest infestations. Timely applications of insecticides are also important once economic 

thresholds have been reached or exceeded. Insecticides do work. Apply them when insects are in the early growth stages. 

Soil Insect 

Pests 

Insecticide 



Poncho 600 

NipSit 5FS 

imidacloprid (C) 

Gaucho 480 


Cruiser 5FS 


or t-Banded 


Lorsban 15G 

terbufos (OP) 

Counter 15G 

Foliar sprays 



carbaryl (C) 

Sevin 80S 

Carbaryl 4L 

Sevin XLR Plus 4L 


Lorsban 4E 


Tombstone 2EC 


Adjourn 0.66EC 






Lambda-Cy 1EC 

Silencer 1EC 

Tiaga Z 1CS 

Warrior Z 1CS 



Amount of 


(5.1 – 6.4 oz./cwt) 

(5.1 – 6.4 oz./cwt) 

(8 oz./cwt) 

(5.1 oz./cwt) 

8 oz./1,000 row 

feet 

7 oz./1,000 row 

feet 

2.0 – 2.8 oz. 

1.25 – 2.5 lb. 

1 – 2 qt. 

1 – 2 qt. 

16 – 32 oz. 

2.0 – 2.8 oz. 

5.8 – 9.6 oz. 

5.8 – 9.6 oz. 

1.54 oz. 

1.92 oz. 

3.84 oz. 

3.84 oz. 

3.84 oz. 

3.84 oz. 

3.2 – 4.0 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.019 – 0.022 

1 – 2 

1 – 2 

1 – 2 

0.5 – 1.0 

0.038 – 0.044 

0.03 – 0.05 

0.03 – 0.05 

0.015 

0.03 

0.03 

0.03 

0.03 

0.03 

0.02 – 0.025 



64 – 45.7 

0.8 – 0.4 

4 – 2 

4 – 2 

8 – 4 

64 – 45.7 

22 – 13 

22 – 13 

83 

66.7 

33.3 

33.3 

33.3 

33.3 

40 – 32 


Threshold and Comments 



Apply as a T-band in a 6- to 8-inch band. Suppression only. 

7 oz./1,000 feet of row for any row spacing (minumim 20-inch row spacing). 

Use ground equipment with a directed spray at lower third of plant and 20 – 30 gallons of 

water per acre. 

Ground application only in Mississippi. 

Soil insect pests such as WIReWoRMs, seeD CoRn MAGGots, WHIte GRUBs, soUtHeRn CoRn Root- 

WoRMs, AnD CUtWoRMs can attack grain sorghum. You can reduce them with cultural practices and by planting into 

weed-free fields. Fields recently taken out of pasture or sod production are often infested with white grubs and wireworms. Consider 

seed treatments or soil insecticides at planting for fields at risk. Gaucho, Cruiser, and Poncho seed treatments are labeled for 

use on grain sorghum. Foliar insecticides are recommended for postemergence cutworm control. 

Occasionally FIRe Ants feed on the seed or seedlings shortly after planting. ese problems tend to be more common in reduced 

tillage fields, heavy clay soils, and under dry conditions. is is usually a result of poor planting conditions where the furrow 

was not completely closed, allowing access to the seed and the germinating plants. Seed treatments provide effective control. 

Grain Sorghum 63

Leaf and 

Stem Feeding 

Insects 

Insecticide 



Poncho 600 

imidacloprid (C) 

Gaucho 480 

Amount of 


5.1 – 6.4 oz./100 

lb. seed 

(8 oz./cwt) 

Pounds Active 








Cruiser 5FS 

5.1 oz./100 lb. seed 


In Furrow, Banded or 

t-Banded 


Lorsban 15G 

8 – 32 oz. 

Apply as a T-band in a 6- to 8-inch band. 

terbufos (OP) 

Counter 15G 

7 oz./1,000 row 

feet 

Foliar sprays 


Lorsban 4E 

0.5 – 2 pt. 

0.25 – 1 

16 – 4 

Ground application only in Mississippi. 



8 – 16 oz. 

0.25 – 0.5 

16 – 8 



3.2 – 4.0 oz. 

0.02 – 0.025 

40 – 32 

CHInCH BUG adults are black and white with whitish wings marked by a dark triangle on the outer margins. Nymphs are bright red but 

darken with maturity. 

Damage: e nymphs and adults have piercing-sucking mouthparts and cause damage by removing plant sap. Hot, dry weather favors 

chinch bug buildup. When scouting, check the base of the seedlings, behind the leaf collars, and the soil around the base of the plant. Use 

ground equipment with sprays directed at the lower third of the plant and 20 to 30 gallons of water per acre. 

tHResHoLD: treat when you find two or more adult chinch bugs on 20 percent of seedlings less than 6 inches tall. 

e BIRD-CHeRRy oAt APHID is broadly oval, and its color ranges from mottled yellowish or olive green to greenish-black. Often reddish 

patches are around the bases of the cornicles. e antennae are entirely black, but the legs and cornicles are green with black tips. 

Damage: Nymphs and adults of the bird-cherry oat aphid extract plant sap from the leaves of small grains. ere is no obvious toxin associated 

with its feeding, and damage symptoms are not readily apparent. Chemical control is rarely justified for the bird-cherry oat aphid. 

e CoRn LeAF APHID is dark blue-green and about the size of a greenbug or slightly smaller. Its legs, antennae, and cornicles are entirely 

black. It has the typical pear shape of aphids. 

Damage: e corn leaf aphid is less injurious than the greenbug, primarily because it does not inject a toxin during feeding. is aphid 

commonly feeds in the whorl of the plant, where it often becomes extremely abundant and may fill the whorl of the middle leaf. Feeding causes 

a yellowish mottling on the leaves. Some marginal leaf necrosis may be associated with corn leaf aphid feeding, but this is likely the symptom of 

maize dwarf mosaic virus, which this aphid transmits. In rare instances, corn leaf aphids stunt plants, interfere with panicle extension, and if 

abundant in the panicle, may affect harvest. Heavy infestations during seedling stage may cause death of the plant and stand loss. Chemical control 

of this aphid is rarely justified. 

e sUGARCAne APHID can be a very damaging pest of grain sorghum. Numbers can increase rapidly upon initial infestation. 

tHResHoLD: Treatment is essential when populations reach 25 to 30 percent infested plants with localized areas of honeydew and 

high populations. At this time, there are no products labeled for grain sorghum that provide consistent control. Check with your 

local extension office for emergency exemptions. 

Mature female GReenBUGs are approximately one-sixteenth of an inch long, with the typical pear shape of aphids. ey are pale green 

with a dark stripe down the middle of the back. e legs and cornicles are also green, except for the tips that are usually black. 

Damage: Greenbugs injure small grains and sorghum three ways: 1) sap is extracted with piercing-sucking mouthparts, depriving the plant 

of nutrients and water; 2) a toxin is injected during feeding, causing disruption of cell walls and necrosis of tissue; 3) viruses such as barley yellow 

dwarf or maize dwarf mosaic may be transmitted, or plants may be predisposed to other diseases such as charcoal rot of sorghum. Greenbug infestations 

in small grains are often first detected by the red-spotted, yellowish, or orange leaves that appear on a few plants in localized areas of 

the field. Greenbugs often feed in colonies on the undersides of the lower leaves and stems of small grains but may feed on plant parts at or 

slightly below the soil surface. Seedling sorghum is very susceptible to greenbug injury and may turn yellow or reddish when infestations are 

light. Seedling death may result from extensive feeding. On larger plants, feeding results in stunted plants and kernel-weight reductions. 

tHResHoLD: When plants are 6 inches or less, treat when greenbug colonies appear on lower leaf surfaces. When plants are 6 

inches tall to pre-boot, treat before any leaves are killed. When plants are pre-boot and larger, treat when more than two lower 

leaves die. 

64 Crop Grain Name Sorghum

Whorl/ 

Head 

Feeders 

Insecticide 

Foliar sprays 

carbaryl (C) 

Sevin 80S 

Carbaryl 4L 

chlorantraniliprole, 

λ-cyhalothrin (D + P) 

Besiege 

Amount of 


1.25 – 2.5 lb. 

1 – 2 qt. 

6 – 10 oz. 

Pounds Active 


1 – 2 



0.8 – 0.4 

4 – 2 

21.3 – 12.8 


In Louisiana, sorghum webworms have developed resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. To 

date, Mississippi has no reports or documented cases. 

If you experience a lack of control with pyrethroids, we recommend you switch to a different 

class of chemistry. 



14 – 20 oz. 

0.047 – 0.067 

9 – 6.4 



Belt 4SC 

2 – 4 oz. 

0.06 – 0.125 

64 – 32 

methomyl (C) 

Lannate 2.4LV 

12 – 24 oz. 

0.225 – 0.45 

10.6 – 5.3 

For control of armyworms and webworms. Use higher rates (1.5 pt./ac.) for webworms. 



9 – 12 oz. 

0.06 – 0.08 

14.2 – 10.7 


Blackhawk 

1.7 – 3.3 oz. 

0.038 – 0.074 

9.4 – 4.8 

Pyrethroids may not control bollworms. It is recommended to use only the highest labeled rate of pyrethroids. 

CoRn eARWoRM/FALL ARMyWoRM: Corn earworm larvae range from light green to brown to almost black, with 

light stripes and dark stripes running lengthwise of the body. e head capsule is usually orange. e most common feature of fall 

armyworm larvae is the inverted Y-shaped mark on the front of the head and longer hairs coming from black spots (tubercles) on 

the body. 

Damage: “Whorlworms” refers to worms found feeding in the whorl of sorghum plants before bloom. Damage may be caused 

by corn earworms, fall armyworms, southwestern corn borers, and European corn borers. All of these pests may be in the same field 

and at the same time. Whorl feeding appears as ragged shot-holes in the leaves. Plants can withstand considerable damage in the 

whorl stage. Crop loss will occur when heavy infestations cause “deadheart” or severe stunting of plants. When worms infest young 

plants shorter than 24 inches, the center of the plant may be killed. 

Whorl tHResHoLD: treatment for worms in the whorl is rarely needed. treat for corn earworms or fall armyworms when 

plants average 75 to 100 percent infestation of either species. 

Head tHResHoLD: treat when corn earworms or fall armyworms average one per head either alone or in combination. 

e soRGHUM WeBWoRM larval stage ranges from pale green to tan and is thickly covered with spines and hairs. e 

back has four red to brown longitudinal stripes. In Louisiana, sorghum webworms have developed resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. 

To date, Mississippi has no reports or documented cases. If you experience a lack of control with pyrethroids, we recommend 

that you switch to a different class of chemistry. 

Damage: Larvae feed on the individual grain kernels and consume the contents, leaving the outside hull only. 

tHResHoLD: treat when you find an average of five small larvae per head. Do not apply methyl parathion to sorghum; it 

will injure crops. 

Grain Crop Sorghum Name 65

Stalk 

Borers 

Insecticide 

Foliar sprays 



Amount of 


1.3 – 2.8 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.010 – 0.022 



98 – 45.7 




14 – 20 oz. 

0.047 – 0.067 

9 – 6.4 



Besiege 

6 – 10 oz. 

21.3 – 12.8 


Tombstone 2EC 

1.3 – 2.8 oz. 

0.020 – 0.044 

98 – 45.7 


Battalion 0.2EC 


9.6 – 14.1 oz. 

1.3 – 1.9 oz. 

0.015 – 0.022 

0.015 – 0.022 

13.3 – 9 

98.5 – 67 


Belt 4SC 

2 – 4 oz. 

0.06 – 0.125 

64 –32 



1.02 – 1.54 oz. 

0.01 – 0.015 

125 – 83 



Lambda-Cy 1EC 

Silencer 1EC 

Tiaga Z 1CS 

Warrior Z 1CS 

1.28 – 1.92 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

100 – 66.7 

50 – 33 

50 – 33 

50 – 33 

50 – 33 


Blackhawk 

1.7 – 3.3 oz. 

0.038 – 0.074 

9.4 – 4.8 



1.76 – 4.0 oz. 

0.011 – 0.025 

72.7 – 32 



Stallion 

3.75 – 11.75 

34.1 – 10.9 

All mature soUtHWesteRn CoRn BoReR larvae are dull white with a regular pattern of black spots, except for overwintering 

larvae. Time treatments before larvae begin to bore into the stalk. Once larvae enter the stalk, you cannot control them. 

Damage: SWCB larvae feed on the leaf tissue for 7 to 10 days before boring into the plant. After entering the stalk, larvae tunnel 

throughout the stalk, disrupting movement of water and nutrients. As in corn, third-generation SWCB girdle the plants in 

preparation of overwintering and could cause lodging of the plants and increase risks associated with disease development. SWCB 

can be detrimental to late-planted or double-cropped grain sorghum. 

treatment: Economic thresholds for SWCB in grain sorghum are not well defined. If treatments are warranted, applications 

must be made before larvae enter the stalk to be effective. 

66 Grain Sorghum

Sorghum 

Midges 

Insecticide 

Foliar sprays 



Amount of 


1.0 – 1.3 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.008 – 0.01 



128 – 98.5 




Besiege 

5 – 6 oz. 

16 – 21 



Tombstone 2EC 

1.0 – 1.3 oz. 

0.016 – 0.02 

128 – 98.5 




9.6 – 14.1 oz. 

1.3 – 1.9 oz. 

0.015 – 0.022 

0.015 – 0.022 

13.3 – 9 

98.5 – 67.4 



0.25 – 0.5 pt. 

0.125 – 0.25 

32 – 16 


Adjourn 0.66EC 


2.9 – 5.8 oz. 

2.9 – 5.8 oz. 

0.015 – 0.03 

0.015 – 0.03 

44 – 22 

44 – 22 


Declare 1.25 

0.77 – 1.28 oz. 

0.0075 – 0.0125 

166 – 100 



Lambda-Cy 1EC 

Silencer 1EC 

Tiaga Z 1CS 

Warrior Z 1CS 

0.96 – 1.28 oz. 

1.92 – 2.56 oz. 

1.92 – 2.56 oz. 

1.92 – 2.56 oz. 

1.92 – 2.56 oz. 

0.015 – 0.02 

0.015 – 0.02 

0.015 – 0.02 

0.015 – 0.02 

0.015 – 0.02 

133.3 – 100 

66.7 – 50 

66.7 – 50 

66.7 – 50 

66.7 – 50 

methomyl (C) 

Lannate 2.4LV 

12 – 24 oz. 

0.225 – 0.45 

10.6 – 5.3 



1.28 – 4.0 oz. 

0.008 – 0.025 

100 – 32 



Stallion 

3.75 – 11.75 

34.1 – 10.9 

soRGHUM MIDGe larvae overwinter inside cocoons spun within the spikelets of sorghum, Johnsongrass, or other hostplant 

residue. Time and percentage of emergence in the spring are influenced by temperature, cultural practices, and other factors. 

e adult sorghum midge is a small orange fly. e edges of its wings appear fringed under magnification. e female lives 1 

day, laying 30 to 120 eggs, one at a time, in the glume. About 90 percent of the eggs are laid during the 4 days after plant-head 

emergence. e life cycle of the midge requires approximately 14 to 18 days. e male midge lives only a few hours. 

Damage: Sorghum is susceptible to damage from the midge only during the bloom period. Once blooming begins, an individual 

head is susceptible to damage for 4 to 9 days. Adult midges do not damage the grain. Females deposit eggs between the glumes 

of a floret. Larvae destroy the seed, resulting in blanks or shriveled seed coats that appear discolored. Heads with severe damage appear 

small and compressed with blank areas. Planting grain sorghum between April 15 and May 10, as uniformly as possible (depth 

and date), helps control sorghum midges. 

tHResHoLD: treat when you find one adult midge per head when fields reach 20 to 30 percent bloom. scout fields daily 

during the bloom period from midmorning until shortly after noon. Make midge applications as early in the morning or 

late in the evening as possible to avoid foraging honey bees during pollen shed. 

Grain Sorghum 67

Stink Bugs 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 





Foliar sprays 



1.3 – 2.8 oz. 

0.010 – 0.022 

98 – 45.7 



Besiege 

6 – 10 oz. 

21.3 – 12.8 


Tombstone 2EC 

1.3 – 2.8 oz. 

0.020 – 0.044 

98 – 45.7 

deltamethrin (P ) 



11.5 – 14.1 oz. 

1.5 – 1.8 oz. 

0.018 – 0.022 

0.018 – 0.022 

11 – 9 

85 – 71 



1.02 – 1.54 oz. 

0.01 – 0.015 

125 – 83 



Lambda-Cy 1EC 

Silencer 1EC 

Tiaga Z 1CS 

Warrior Z 1CS 

1.28 – 1.92 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

2.56 – 3.84 oz. 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

0.02 – 0.03 

100 – 66.7 

50 – 33 

50 – 33 

50 – 33 

50 – 33 



1.76 – 4.0 oz. 

0.011 – 0.025 

72.7 – 32 



Stallion 

3.75 – 11.75 

34.1 – 10.9 

Several species of “bugs,” including stInK BUGs, attack grain sorghum during grain fill. ese bugs are sometimes referred 

to as panicle-feeding bugs. Feeding can affect grain quality and yield. Sorghum is most susceptible when the grain is in the milk 

and soft dough stages. 

tHResHoLD: treat when fields average four to five stink bugs per head. 

68 Grain Sorghum

WHEAT INSECT MANAGEMENT 

Aphids 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 





clothianidin (CN) 0.75 – 1.79 oz./ Commercially treated seed. 

Nipsit 

100 lb. seed 


*Use extra caution when handling these insecticides. 

imidacloprid (C) 3.4 – 4.5 oz./ Can be applied on farm or treated commercially. 

Gaucho XT 

100 lb. seed 


Cruiser Maxx 5.0 – 10.0 oz./ Commercially treated seed. 

Vibrance Cereals 100 lb. seed 


dimethoate (OP)* 

Dimethoate 4EC 8 – 12 oz. 0.25 – 0.38 16 – 10.67 

methomyl (C)* 

Lannate LV 2.4 0.75 – 1.5 pt. 0.225 – 0.45 10.6 – 5.3 

beta-cyfluthrin (P) 

Baythroid XL 1EC 1.8 – 2.4 oz. 0.014 – 0.019 71.11 – 53.33 


Declare 1.25 1.54 oz. 0.015 80 

lambda-cyhalothrin (P) 

Karate 2.08 

Warrior II 1.28 – 1.92 oz. 0.02 – 0.03 100 – 66.7 

zeta-cypermethrin (P) 

Mustang Max 0.8EC 3.2 – 4.0 oz. 0.02 – 0.025 40 – 32 

Several APHIDs feed on the leaves and grain heads of wheat. ese pests are significant because they can transmit diseases to 

the plant such as barley yellow dwarf virus (BYD), in addition to the damage their feeding habits cause. Adult aphids are only 

about one-eighth inch long, and adults may or may not have two pairs of nearly transparent wings. 

e bird cherry-oat aphid is dark green and transmits BYD. is is usually the most common aphid in wheat. 

e corn leaf aphid is bluish-green, and all of its legs, cornicles, and antennae are black. 

e rice root aphid occurs on the roots of wheat and has been known to transmit BYD. 

tHResHoLD: No thresholds have been established in Mississippi for corn leaf, oat-bird cherry, and rice root aphids. Treat when 

heavy populations are causing leaves to dry up and die in several places in the field. You can use an insecticide seed treatment such 

as Gaucho or Cruiser to reduce spread of BYD. Data suggest that early-planted wheat is most likely to benefit from seed treatments. 

Foliar insecticide applications in the fall can also reduce the spread of BYD, but you must make them before aphid populations 

are already established in the field. Also, note that in Mississippi many aphid flights can occur throughout the season, and 

insecticides cannot always prevent BYD. 

GReenBUG aphids are pale green and usually have a dark green stripe down the back of their wingless backs. e tips of the 

legs and cornicles are black, and the antennae are mostly black. is aphid injects a toxin while feeding, which can cause leaves to 

turn yellow or brick-red around the feeding site, causing the leaves to die. 

tHResHoLD: When plants are 4 to 6 inches tall, treat when there are 50 aphids per linear foot. When plants are 6 to 10 inches, 

treat when there are 200 aphids per linear foot. When plants are 18 to 20 inches, treat when there are 300 aphids per linear foot. 

When plants are 30 inches or taller, treat when there are 800 aphids per linear foot. 

Wheat 69

Armyworms 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 





carbaryl (C) 

Sevin XLR Plus 4 1 – 1.5 qt. 1 – 1.5 4 – 2.7 

methomyl (C) * 

Lannate LV 2.4 0.75 – 1.5 pt. 0.225 – 0.45 10.6 – 5.3 


Blackhawk 1.7 – 3.3 oz. 0.04 – 0.074 9.4 – 4.8 


Baythroid XL 1EC 1.8 – 2.4 oz. 0.014 – 0.019 71.11 – 53.33 


Declare 1.25 1.02 - 1.54 oz. 0.01 – 0.015 125.5 – 83 


Karate 2.08 1.28 – 1.92 oz. 0.02 – 0.03 100 – 66.7 

Warrior II 


Mustang Max 0.8EC 3.2 – 4.0 oz. 0.02 – 0.025 40 - 32 



ARMyWoRMs can be serious pests of wheat when populations reach large numbers. ey get their name from their migrating 

habit, since they sometimes start at one portion of the field and devour everything in their path. 

Damaging infestations of tRUe ARMyWoRMs normally occur in the spring. Mature larvae are smooth (almost hairless) and 

greenish-brown to reddish-brown, with a dark stripe along each side. A broad dorsal stripe runs down the length of the back. is 

species differs from the fall armyworm by having a dark lateral band on the outer portion of each proleg. Besides feeding on foliage, 

larvae sometimes cut the heads of maturing wheat plants. 

e FALL ARMyWoRM is normally a pest of early-planted seedling wheat in the fall of the year. ese insects can completely 

defoliate a wheat field when populations are very high. is insect differs from the true armyworm by having a prominent 

inverted “Y” on the front of its head and no dark bands on the outer part of its prolegs. 

tHResHoLD: Consider treating for fall armyworms when five or more larvae are present per square foot. For true armyworms, 

use a threshold of five to six larvae per square foot if wheat is still in the milk stage. Once past the milk stage, wheat can tolerate 

higher populations, and treatment is not usually recommended unless larvae are cutting wheat heads. 

Cereal Leaf 

Beetles 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 





carbaryl (C) 

Sevin XLR Plus 4 1 qt. 1 4 

methomyl (C) * 

Lannate LV 2.4 0.75 – 1.5 pt. 0.225 – 0.45 10.6 – 5.3 


Blackhawk 1.1 – 3.3 oz. 0.025 – 0.074 14.5 – 4.8 


Baythroid XL 1EC 1 – 1.8 oz. 0.008 – 0.014 128 – 71.11 


Declare 1.25 1.02 – 1.54 oz. 0.01 – 0.015 125.5 – 83 


Karate 2.08 1.28 – 1.92 oz. 0.02 – 0.03 100 – 66.7 

Warrior II 


Mustang Max 0.8EC 1.76 – 4.0 oz. 0.011 – 0.025 72.7 – 32 



CeReAL LeAF BeetLes are pests of wheat, oats, barley, and other cereal crops, but they are not common in Mississippi. 

e larvae are pale yellow and soft-bodied, but because they are normally covered with their fecal material, they have a dark, gooey, 

shiny appearance. Adults are shiny, black beetles with red legs and thorax, approximately three-sixteenths inch long. Adults and larvae 

skeletonize the leaf tissue between the veins. 

tHResHoLD: Check 10 plants per sample site for larvae and adults. Treatment is necessary if one larva or adult is present per stem. 

70 Crop WheatName

HessIAn FLIes have been responsible for tremendous wheat losses in the past. Hessian fly larvae feed on stems at the base of 

plants, hidden behind the leaf sheaths. Larvae are reddish at first emergence and turn white or greenish-white. Larvae are shiny and 

legless, resembling small grains of rice, and are approximately one-fourth inch long when fully grown. e pupae, or flax seed stage, 

are brown but otherwise similar to the larvae. Mississippi typically does not have significant problems with this pest, but earlyplanted 

wheat is susceptible to infestation. Planting after the “fly-free date” (see recommended planting dates on page 70) greatly 

reduces the chance for serious Hessian fly infestations. Also, avoid planting wheat as a cover crop before the fly-free date. Volunteer 

wheat is a good fall host for this pest, and any volunteer wheat should be destroyed before September. Plowing under wheat stubble 

after harvest may help reduce subsequent infestations in the fall. Some varieties are available with resistance to Hessian flies, but no 

varieties have adequate resistance to all Hessian fly biotypes. 

tHResHoLD: Foliar-applied insecticides are difficult to time and only marginally effective. Plant after the fly-free date, and use resistant 

varieties if they are available. Resistant varieties may help suppress Hessian fly populations, although no varieties provide adequate resistance 

to Biotype L. Insecticide seed treatments (Cruiser and Gaucho) provide some suppression of fall infestations of Hessian flies. 

stInK BUGs are often found in heading wheat but rarely cause an economic concern. Control is only warranted if numbers 

exceed one stink bug per 10 heads until soft dough stage. After soft dough stage, do not treat. 

Recommended Mississippi Wheat Planting Dates 

North and Central Mississippi: October 15 – November 10 Mississippi Delta: October 20 – November 15 

South Mississippi: November 1 – November 25 Coastal: November 15 – December 10 

SWEETPOTATO INSECT MANAGEMENT 

objective 

To lessen the impact of pests and pest control costs: 

a. Scout fields regularly, and make careful counts of insect pest populations. 



d. Use the most cost-efficient insecticide recommended for the target pest, and target applications against the most susceptible 

stage of development. 




Warning 

Information in this guide is provided for educational and planning purposes only. When using agricultural chemicals, you, the 

user, are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Before 

applying any insecticide, be sure to obtain current information about usage, and read and follow the product label. 

Precautions 

Before using a pesticide, read the label carefully. Follow the directions, and heed all precautions on the pesticide container label. 

Observe all regulations on worker protection and pesticide record-keeping. Store pesticides in original containers, safely away from 

livestock, pets, and children. Store pesticides in an area where they will not contaminate food or feed. 


Successful, economical control of insect pests requires using a variety of control methods rather than relying just on one 

method of control, such as scheduled insecticide use. Integrated pest management (IPM) refers to this multi-tactic approach to insect 

control. Current insect control recommendations are based on the IPM concept. 

Insecticides are a key part of sweetpotato IPM, but sustained economical insect control relying solely on insecticides is not possible 

in Mississippi. 

e objective of sweetpotato IPM is to use all available, practical nonchemical methods of suppressing insect populations; to 

monitor pest populations closely; and when scouting indicates that pest populations are greater than economic thresholds, to integrate 

insecticides into the system to optimize crop production and minimize ecosystem disruption. 

Management tactics applied against one pest may be favorable or unfavorable to the development of other pests in the system. 

us, an overall IPM program must consider these types of long-term effects, because they greatly influence the ability of Mississippi 

growers to maintain economical production. 

Many IPM components must be used to manage insect pests effectively. ese include managing for early crop maturity, various 

cultural practices, insecticide resistance management, using economic thresholds, thorough scouting, and timely application of 

insecticides when needed. 

Sweetpotatoes Crop Name 71

scouting 

Proper scouting is the backbone of an effective insect management program. e goal of any scouting program should be to 

minimize insecticide use and insect control costs by avoiding unnecessary treatments and by properly timing required treatments. 

Effective scouting requires spending adequate time in the field and taking enough samples to make an accurate decision on whether 

or not treatment is required. Frequency of scouting is critical. During most of the growing season, scout fields thoroughly every 3 

to 4 days, and allow enough time in the scouting schedule to allow spot checks more often when necessary. 

sampling equipment 

Bugvac: You can use a shredder, vacuum, or leaf blower as a bugvac. Insert a 4.75-inch diameter plastic cup with the bottom 

replaced by a fine mesh (100 mesh) nylon screen into the end of the vacuum tube. Move the suction opening back and forth 

within the plant canopy to vacuum plants as you walk briskly along. Count the insects every 25 feet of row, but thresholds are expressed 

as numbers of insects per 100 feet of row. 

sweep net: We recommend a standard 15-inch diameter sweep net of heavy construction. Sweep nets are available from commercial 

sources. Count the insects every 25 sweeps, but thresholds are expressed as numbers of insects per 100 sweeps. 

resholds 


schedules or presence or absence of pests is a proven method of reducing insect management costs. Effective use of thresholds requires 

frequent, intensive scouting to obtain accurate estimates of populations of various pest species that may be in a field. 

e treatment threshold is the pest population level at which you must treat to avoid economic loss that would be greater than 

the cost of the treatment. resholds can vary, depending on species of pest present, stage of crop development, yield potential of 

crop, cost of the treatment, price of crop, populations of other pests present, number of beneficial insects, potential for flaring secondary 

pests, ability to control secondary pests, and a variety of other factors. While the thresholds recommended in this guide vary 

according to pest species and stage of crop development, fixed thresholds cannot fully consider the many other factors that can influence 

a treatment decision. Although the thresholds recommended in this guide are generally somewhat conservative (quick to 

treat), factors such as multiple pest species could indicate a need to reduce thresholds. Likewise, factors such as high beneficial insect 

populations, risk of flaring difficult to control secondary pests, high treatment costs, and low price potential could indicate a 

need to use higher thresholds. 

General Practices 

Conduct tillage or herbicide operations to destroy vegetation at least 4 weeks before planting. 

Preplant insecticides do not control the entire growing season but may significantly protect from some soil insects much of the 

season. Apply preplant insecticides as close to the time of planting as the preharvest interval (PHI) allows. 

Make layby applications before canopy closure, preferably at last cultivation. Rotating foliar products helps manage insecticide 

resistance. 

Adequate coverage can be difficult but is essential with most products. Best results from contact insecticides are with application 

volumes of 5 to 10 gpa, using hollow-cone nozzles. Do not use herbicide nozzles (low-drift nozzles or other types that produce 

large droplets) to apply insecticides. 

Sweetpotato fields near pastures or hay fields appear to be more at risk for sugarcane beetle infestations. Planting more productive 

fields (fields with higher yield potential) first and harvesting them as soon as possible may allow these fields to be harvested before 

sugarcane beetle infestations get severe. 


Mississippi producers are fortunate to have a wide array of naturally occurring biological control agents that play an important 

role in managing pest populations. Together, these biological control agents are the primary method of controlling insect pests in 

Mississippi. Often the full economic value of these biological agents is not recognized or appreciated. Severe outbreaks resulting in 

high levels of crop loss or unusually high control costs seldom occur unless natural control has been disrupted. Profitable production 

would not be possible in Mississippi without these biological control agents that include predators such as big-eyed bugs, lady 

beetles, spiders, minute pirate bugs; and parasites. To gain the maximum economic benefit from the control provided by these natural 

control agents, growers need to know which species are beneficial, how to identify these species, which pests they attack, what 

factors enhance their usefulness, when they are most useful, and when they may not provide effective control. 

Predators and parasites can often prevent a pest population from reaching treatable levels, and the control they provide is often 

cheaper, better, and longer-lasting than insecticides. Scouts and producers should be aware of population levels of naturally occurring 

predators and parasites and should recognize that treatment thresholds can often be increased when predator and population 

levels are high. Certain cultural practices may favor populations of specific predators (for example, fire ants and reduced tillage). 

When insecticide treatment is necessary, it is often possible to select treatments that have little impact on populations of certain 

beneficial insects while still providing control of the target pest. 


Insecticide resistance is the increased tolerance to a particular insecticide by a pest population to the point the insecticide no 

longer controls effectively. 

72 Sweetpotatoes

Resistance develops as a result of repeated or continuous exposure of a pest population to a particular insecticide or class of insecticides. 

Following an insecticide application, the death rate for susceptible insects is considerably higher than the death rate of resistant 

insects. us the numbers of resistant insects increase, and the frequency of resistance genes is increased in the next 

generation. If the same insecticide or class of insecticide is used against the next generation of pests, the level of resistance increases 

even more. At first the number of resistant individuals within a population may be extremely low, one individual in every 10,000 or 

more, and loss in efficiency is very small. But with repeated use of the same insecticide or class of insecticides, the percent of the 

population composed of resistant insects becomes great enough that efficacy declines and field control fails. 

Resistance is costly to producers because it results in the need to increase insecticide rates, shorten treatment intervals, use expensive 

mixtures of insecticides, or use more costly alternative insecticides to keep effective control. Reduced control means increased 

yield losses, which can further reduce profits. In the absence of effective treatment alternatives, outbreaks of resistant pests 

can result in disastrous levels of crop destruction. 

Insecticide resistance management is a plan of insecticide use that limits exposure of a pest population to a particular class of 

insecticide chemistry to prolong the useful life of that insecticide or class of insecticides. It is important to note that the goal of resistance 

management is not necessarily to prevent resistance from ever occurring, but to slow the development of resistance. 

To be most effective, resistance management must be started before resistance is evident (while the frequency of resistant genes 

is very low) rather than waiting until resistance is evident in the field (frequency of resistance is high). Because many insects can 

readily move from farm to farm, resistance management efforts are most effective when all producers in a large geographic area 

practice them. 

With foliar insecticides, selection for resistance may occur whenever an insecticide is used, simply because the pests that survive 

exposure to the treatment are more likely to be resistant. us, the proportion of the pest population that carries genes for resistance 

to a particular insecticide is higher after that insecticide has been applied. With foliar insecticides, resistance can be delayed by 

not exposing successive generations of pests to insecticides from the same class. Rotating different classes of insecticides against different 

generations of pests is an effective resistance management tool because insects resistant to one class of chemistry are often 

susceptible to insecticides from a different class. is provides immediate benefits in terms of improved control as well as long-term 

benefits in terms of reduced selection for resistance. 

Responding to Control Failures 

Key considerations and responses following suspected insecticide failures: 

1. Don't panic! Do not automatically assume that the presence of live insects following an insecticide application is the result of 

an insecticide failure. 

2. Examine the possible reasons unsatisfactory control may have occurred. Control decisions should consider a wide range of variables 

that influence insecticide efficacy and damage potential: species complex, population density and age structure, application 

timing, insecticide dosage rate, application methods and carriers, treatment evaluation timing, need for multiple 

applications, environmental conditions, and levels of insecticide resistance. 

3. Under continuous pressure, multiple insecticide applications are required to reduce crop damage. Against high, sustained infestations, 

multiple close-interval (3 to 5 days) applications of recommended economical treatments are often more effective than 

applications of expensive mixtures at high rates applied at longer intervals. 

4. If you suspect a field failure is due to insecticide resistance, do not reapply the same insecticide at any rate. Change to another 

class of insecticides, or use mixtures of insecticides from different classes. 

Caution: Recommendations of specific insecticides are based on information on the manufacturer's label and performance in a 

limited number of efficacy trials. Because levels of insecticide resistance, environmental conditions, and methods of application by 

growers may vary widely, insecticide performance does not always conform to the safety and pest control standards indicated by experimental 

data. 

Insecticides are not listed in order of their effectiveness. Effectiveness of a particular insecticide can vary greatly from field to 

field, depending on previous insecticide use, pest species, levels of resistance, and many other factors. Within a group of insecticides 

recommended for control of a specific pest, there often will be considerable variability in cost, effectiveness against the primary target 

pest, and secondary pests controlled. Growers must consider each of these factors as well as the need to rotate among different 

insecticide classes (for resistance management purposes) when selecting insecticides. 

Insecticides with the same trade name may be available in many different formulations. Please be aware of the product formulations 

listed in these guidelines and know that they may differ from the formulated product on hand. 

Classes of insecticides: Effective resistance management requires rotation among the various classes of available insecticide 


be ineffective, and selection of an insecticide from a different class will improve the chances of obtaining control. Growers need to 

be very aware of the type of insecticide chemistry being used. Classes of insecticides recommended in this guide are identified by 

the following abbreviations: 

Carbamate – (C) Pyrethroid – (P) Oxadiazine – (OX) Biologicals – (B) 

Spinosyns – (SPN) Organochlorine – (OC) Organophosphate – (OP) Insect Growth Regulators – (IGR) 

Neonicotinoids – (N) Avermectins – (AV) Pyridine Carboxamide – (PC) Tetronic Acid – (TA) 

Sweetpotatoes 73

Sweetpotato 

Weevils 

Insecticide 

soil Application: 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 




PHI 

(days) 

Comments 


Brigade 2EC 

Brigade 2EC 

9.6-19.2 oz (at planting) 

3.2-9.6 oz (at layby) 

0.15–0.30 

0.05–0.15 

13.3–6.7 

40–13.3 

21 

21 

carbaryl (C) 

Sevin 4F 

48 oz. 

1.5 

2.7 

7 

clothianidin (N) 

Belay 2.13 SC 

12 oz. 

0.2 

10.7 

Foliar Application: 


Baythroid XL 

1.6-2.8 oz. 

0.013–0.022 

80–45.7 

0 


Brigade 2EC 

2.1-6.4 oz 

0.033–0.10 

60.6–20 

21 

chlorantraniliprole (D) + 


Besiege 

6 – 9 oz. 

21.3 – 14.2 

14 


Tombstone 2 EC 

1.6-2.8 oz. 

0.025–0.044 

80–45.7 

0 

phosmet (OP) 

Imidan 70 W 

21.3 oz. 

0.93 

0.75 

7 

e sWeetPotAto WeeVIL is a serious insect pest, but it rarely infests commercial fields in north Mississippi. e Bureau 

of Plant Industry has a monitoring program to detect sweetpotato weevils and a quarantine program to prevent this pest from 

infesting most Mississippi sweetpotato production areas. Producers with 3 or more acres in sweetpotato production must register 

with BPI for the monitoring program. 

Beds are susceptible to sweetpotato weevil infestations. If you purchase slips, insist on weevil-free slips. Locate plant beds away 

from sweetpotato storage and last season’s production areas. Female weevils oviposit in stems near the soil line, so cut slips at least 2 

inches above the soil to help prevent spreading weevils to production fields. Destroy plant beds as soon as you no longer need them. 

Weevils in the sweetpotato crop in most of Mississippi warrant regulatory action. If you catch one or more weevils in pheromone 

traps, the Bureau of Plant Industry will notify you of required treatments. 

Foliar applications are effective only against adult sweetpotato weevils. 

Whiteflies 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 




PHI 

(days) 

Comments 


imidacloprid (N) 

Admire Pro 4.6 SC 

7–10.5 oz. 

0.25–0.38 

18.3–12.2 

125 




Brigadier 

5.1 – 7.7 oz. 

25.1 – 16.6 

21 



1.2 oz. 

0.043 

106.7 

7 


Rimon 0.83 EC 

12 oz. 

0.078 

10.7 

14 

spiromesifen (TN) 

Oberon 4SC 

4 – 8 oz. 

0.125 – 0.25 

32 – 16 

7 

spirotetramat (TA) 

Movento 2 SC 

4–5 oz. 

0.06–0.08 

32–25.6 

7 


Transform WG 

2.0 – 2.5 oz. 

0.023 – 0.047 

21.3 – 10.7 

7 

WHIteFLIes can transmit several viral diseases. Control of whiteflies infesting plant beds may reduce transfer of diseased 

plants to the field. 

Two species of whiteflies infest sweetpotatoes. e sweetpotato whitefly is more difficult to control than the bandedwinged 

whitefly. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when colonies are present. 

74 Sweetpotatoes

Flea 

Beetles 

Insecticide 


Amount of 


Pounds Active 




PHI 

(days) 

Comments 


Brigade 2EC 

Brigade 2EC 

9.6–19.2 oz (at planting) 

3.2–9.6 oz (at layby) 

0.15–0.30 

0.05–0.15 

13.3–6.7 

40–13.3 

21 

21 


Lorsban 15G 

Lorsban Advanced 

13.5 lb 

64 oz. 

2.0 

1.88 

0.08 

2 

125 

60 

Lorsban Advanced has a 24(c) Special Local Needs registration with a 60-day 

preharvest interval. 


Belay 2.13 SC 

9–12 oz. 

0.15–0.2 

14.2–10.7 

ethoprop (OP) 

Mocap 6 EC 

63–86 oz. 

3–4 

2–1.5 

Apply 2–3 weeks before planting. 



7–10.5 oz. 

0.25–0.38 

18.3–12.2 

125 

thiamethoxam (N) 

Platinum 2 SC 

5–8 oz 

0.078–0.125 

25.6–16 


acetamiprid (N) 

Assail 30 SG 

1.5–2.5 oz. 

0.028–0.047 

10.7–6.4 

7 

b–cyfluthrin (P) 

Baythroid XL 

1.6–2.8 oz. 

0.013–0.022 

80–45.7 

0 


Brigade 2EC 

2.1–6.4 oz 

0.033–0.10 

60.6–20 

21 



Brigadier 

5.1 – 7.7 oz. 

25.1 – 16.6 

21 



Hero 

4.0 – 10.3 oz. 

32 – 12.4 

21 

21 days minimum between applications. 

carbaryl (C) 

Sevin 4F 

48 oz. 

1.5 

2.67 

7 



Besiege 

6 – 9 oz. 

21.3 – 14.2 

14 


Belay 2.13 SC 

2–3 oz. 

0.033–0.05 

8–5.3 

14 


Tombstone 2 EC 

1.6–2.8 oz. 

0.025–0.044 

80–45.7 

0 



1.5–2.4 oz. 

0.018–0.028 

85.3–53.3 

3 



1.2 oz. 

0.043 

106.7 

7 


B-cyfluthrin (P) 

Leverage 360 

2.4 – 2.8 oz. 

53.3 – 45.7 

7 

λ–cyhalothrin (P) 

Karate Z 2.08 CS 

1.28–1.92 oz. 

0.02–0.03 

100–66.7 

7 


Actara 25 WDG 

3 oz. 

0.047 

5.3 

14 


chlorantraniprole (D) 

Voliam Flexi 

4 oz. 

32 

14 

Z–cypermethrin (P) 

Mustang Max 

1.76–4 oz. 

0.011–0.025 

72.7–32 

1 

Soil insecticides may be applied preplant or at layby. Disk and/or hip immediately after application to incorporate. A 4- to 6- 

inch incorporation is preferred. Some products are labeled for broadcast or band applications, while others are labeled only for one 

method. Refer to product label for appropriate method of application. Preplant incorporated products often control first-generation 

FLeA BeetLe larvae. 

Immediately after transplanting, sweetpotatoes are susceptible to injury from flea beetle adult feeding. However, most foliar applications 

against adults are aimed to minimize oviposition. 

tHResHoLD: Plant beds: Treat when 10 or more beetles per 100 feet of bed or per 100 sweeps are present. Fields: Treat when 

two or more beetles per 100 feet of bed or per 100 sweeps are present. 

Sweetpotatoes 75

Aphids 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 




PHI 

(days) 

Comments 



Belay 2.13 SC 

9–12 oz. 

0.15–0.2 

14.2–10.7 



7–10.5 oz. 

0.25–0.38 

18.3–12.2 

125 


Platinum 2 SC 

5–8 oz 

0.078–0.125 

25.6–16 



Assail 30 SG 

2.5–4 oz. 

0.047–0.075 

6.4–4.0 

7 



Brigadier 

5.1 – 7.7 oz. 

25.1 – 16.6 

21 



Besiege 

6 – 9 oz. 

21.3 – 14.2 

14 


Belay 2.13 SC 

2–3 oz. 

0.033–0.05 

8–5.3 

14 


Beleaf 50 SG 

2.0–2.8 oz. 

0.062–0.089 

8–5.7 

7 



1.2 oz. 

0.043 

106.7 

7 



Leverage 360 

2.4 – 2.8 oz. 

53.3 – 45.7 

7 

pymetrozine (PC) 

Fulfill 50 WDG 

2.75–5.5 oz. 

0.086–0.17 

5.8–2.9 

14 

spirotetramat (TA) 

Movento 2 SC 

4–5 oz. 

0.06–0.08 

32–25.6 

7 

sulfoxaflor (N) 

Transform WG 

0.75 – 1.5 oz. 

0.023 – 0.047 

21.3 – 10.7 

7 


Actara 25 WDG 

3 oz. 

0.047 

5.3 

14 



Voliam Flexi 

4 oz. 

32 

14 

APHIDs can transmit several viral diseases. Control of aphids infesting plant beds may reduce transfer of diseased plants to the field. 

tHResHoLD: After removing plastic in plant beds, begin treatments if two to five aphids per 100 feet of bed or per 100 sweeps 

are present. Aphids are rarely a problem after transplanting. 

White 

Grubs/ 

May–June 

Beetles 

Insecticide 



Brigade 2EC 

Brigade 2EC 


Belay 2.13 SC 

Amount of 




12 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.15–0.30 

0.05–0.15 

0.2 



13.3–6.7 

40–13.3 

10.7 

PHI 

(days) 

21 

21 

Comments 

ethoprop (OP) 

Mocap 6 EC 

63–86 oz. 

3–4 

2–1.5 




Brigade 2EC 

2.1–6.4 oz. 

0.033–0.10 

60.6–20 

21 



Brigadier 

5.1 – 7.7 oz. 

25.1 – 16.6 

21 



Hero 

4.0 – 10.3 oz. 

32 – 12.4 

21 


phosmet (OP) 

Imidan 70 W 

21.3 oz. 

0.93 

0.75 

7 

Provides suppression only. 

76 Sweetpotatoes

Soil insecticides may be applied preplant or at layby to control WHIte GRUBs/MAy–JUne BeetLes. Disk and/or hip 

immediately after application to incorporate. A 4- to 6-inch incorporation is preferred. Some products are labeled for broadcast or 

band applications, while others are labeled only for one method. Refer to product label for appropriate method of application. 

Foliar applications against adults are aimed to minimize oviposition. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when two beetles per 100 feet of bed or per 100 sweeps are present. Beetles are more active at night and 

may not be captured in high numbers. 

Rootworms/ 

Cucumber 

Beetles 

Insecticide 



Brigade 2EC 

Brigade 2EC 

Amount of 




Pounds Active 


0.15–0.30 

0.05–0.15 



13.3–6.7 

40–13.3 

PHI 

(days) 

21 

21 


ethoprop (OP) 

Mocap 6EC 

63–86 oz. 

3–4 

2–1.5 




Assail 30 SG 

1.5–4 oz. 

0.028–0.075 

10.7–4 

7 

b–cyfluthrin (P) 

Baythroid XL 

1.6–2.8 oz. 

0.013–0.022 

80–45.7 

0 


Brigade 2EC 

2.1–6.4 oz. 

0.033–0.10 

60.6–20 

21 



Brigadier 

5.1 – 7.7 oz. 

25.1 – 16.6 

21 



Hero 

4.0 – 10.3 oz. 

32 – 12.4 

21 


carbaryl (C) 

Sevin 4F 

48 oz. 

1.5 

2.67 

7 



Besiege 

6 – 9 oz. 

21.3 – 14.2 

14 



1.28–1.92 oz. 

0.02–0.03 

100–66.7 

7 

phosmet (OP) 

Imidan 70 W 

21.3 oz. 

0.93 

0.75 

7 


Mustang Max 

1.76–4 oz. 

0.011–0.025 

72.7–32 

1 

Soil insecticides may be applied preplant or at layby. Disk and/or hip immediately after application to incorporate. A 4- to 6- 

inch incorporation is preferred. Some products are labeled for broadcast or band applications, while others are labeled only for one 

method. Refer to product label for appropriate method of application. Most first-generation CUCUMBeR BeetLes are controlled 

by preplant incorporated applications. 


tHResHoLD: Treat when two female beetles per 100 feet of bed or per 100 sweeps are present. Spotted cucumber beetle sex 

ratio should be determined prior to spray application. Females may be rare in sweet potatoes during mid- to late season. 

Sweetpotatoes 77

Wireworms/ 

Click Beetles 

Insecticide 


Amount of 


Pounds Active 




PHI 

(days) 

Comments 


Brigade 2EC 

Brigade 2EC 



0.15–0.30 

0.05–0.15 

13.3–6.7 

40–13.3 

21 

21 


Lorsban 15G 

Lorsban Advanced 

13.5 lb 

64 oz. 

2.0 

1.88 

0.08 

2 

125 

60 

Lorsban Advanced has a 24(c) Special Local Needs registration with a 60– 

day preharvest interval. 


Belay 2.13 SC 

12 oz. 

0.2 

10.7 


ethoprop (OP) 

Mocap 6 EC 

63–86 oz. 

3–4 

2–1.5 




Brigade 2EC 

2.1–6.4 oz. 

0.033–0.10 

60.6–20 

21 

phosmet (OP) 

Imidan 70W 

21.3 oz. 

0.93 

0.75 

7 


Avoid fields that have been out of production. Bait fields in late winter before disturbing the soil to check for WIReWoRMs 

and grubs. Baits can be made with rolled oats soaked in water. Soil insecticides may be applied preplant or at layby. Disk and/or hip 

immediately after application to incorporate. A 4- to 6-inch incorporation is preferred. Some products are labeled for broadcast or 

band applications, while others are labeled only for one method. Refer to product label for appropriate method of application. 

Most first-generation wireworms are controlled by preplant incorporated applications. 


tHResHoLD : Treat when four beetles per 100 feet of bed or per 100 sweeps are present. 

Cutworms 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 




PHI 

(days) 

Comments 


Baythroid XL 

0.8–1.6 oz. 

0.006–0.013 

160–80 

0 


Brigade 2EC 

2.1–6.4 oz. 

0.033–0.10 

60.6–20 

21 



Hero 

4.0 – 10.3 oz. 

32 – 12.4 

21 




Besiege 

5 – 8 oz. 

25.6 – 16 

14 


Tombstone 2EC 

0.8–1.6 oz. 

0.013–0.025 

160–80 

0 



1.0–2.4 oz. 

0.012–0.028 

125–53.6 

3 



1.28–1.92 oz. 

0.02–0.03 

100–66.7 

7 



Voliam Flexi 

4 oz. 

32 

14 


Mustang Max 

1.28–4 oz. 

0.008–0.025 

100–32 

1 

Fields planted to cover crops are susceptible to CUtWoRM injury, especially if the cover crop is terminated fewer than 4 

weeks before planting. Pyrethroids are effective against most cutworm species if adequate coverage is obtained. Apply herbicides 

early enough or conduct tillage operations to kill vegetation at least 4 weeks before planting. 

tHResHoLD: Treat if cutworms reduce stand below eight plants per 10 row feet. If plant density is reduced below five plants per 

10 row feet, consider replanting. 

78 Crop Sweetpotatoes 

Name

Tortoise 

Beetles 

Insecticide 

carbaryl (C) 

Sevin 4F 

Amount of 


48 oz. 

Pounds Active 


1.5 



2.67 

PHI 

(days) 

7 

Comments 



Besiege 

6 – 9 oz. 

21.3 – 14.2 

14 



1.28–1.92 oz. 

0.02–0.03 

100–66.7 

7 

tHResHoLD: Treat if defoliation exceeds 30 percent and beetles are present. 

Insecticide 

Armyworms 

and Loopers bifenthrin (P) + 


Brigadier 



Hero 

Amount of 


5.1 – 7.7 oz. 

4 – 10.3 oz. 

Pounds Active 




25.1 – 16.6 

32 – 12.4 

PHI 

(days) 

21 

21 




Coragen 1.67 SC 

3.5–5.0 oz. 

0.045–0.065 

36.6–25.6 

1 



Besiege 

6 – 9 oz. 

21.3 – 14.2 

14 


Delta Gold 1.5 EC 

1.5–2.4 oz. 

0.018–0.028 

85.3–53.6 

3 



1.28–1.92 oz. 

0.02–0.03 

100–66.7 

7 


Intrepid 2F 

6–10 oz. 

0.094–0.156 

21.3–12.8 

7 


Rimon 0.83 EC 

9–12 oz. 

0.058–0.078 

14.2–10.7 

14 


Radiant 1SC 

6–8 oz. 

0.05–0.06 

21.3–16 

7 


Blackhawk 

2.25–3.5 oz. 

0.05–0.08 

7.1–4.6 

3 


Mustang Max 

3.2–4 oz. 

0.02–0.025 

40–32 

1 

In addition to defoliation, ARMyWoRMs and LooPeRs can invade cracks in the soil around the roots during dry years 

and damage roots directly, reducing quality and/or yield. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when 10 or more caterpillars (all species combined) are present per 100 row feet or per 100 sweeps with a 

sweep net. 

Whitefringed 

Beetles 

Insecticide 



Brigade 2EC 

Amount of 


2.1–6.4 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.033–0.10 



60.6–20 

PHI 

(days) 

21 

Comments 

carbaryl (C) 

Sevin 4F 

48 oz. 

1.5 

2.67 

7 

phosmet (OP) 

Imidan 70 W 

21.3 oz. 

0.93 

0.75 

7 


Mustang Max 

1.76–4 oz. 

0.011–0.025 

72.7–32 

1 

Use caution when planting into whitefringed beetle-infested fields. No soil insecticides are labeled for WHIteFRInGeD 

BeetLe control in sweet potatoes. However, some soil insecticides may provide some control when applied to control other soil 

insect pests. 


tHResHoLD: Treat when one beetle per 100 feet of bed are present or when 10 plants per 100 plants show whitefringed beetle 

feeding injury. Shake plants vigorously and examine soil for dislodged beetles. 

Sweetpotatoes Crop Name 79

Sugarcane 

Beetles 

Sugarcane beetle adults may enter fields from root enlargement until harvest. e beetles burrow down to the roots 

and feed. Currently no effective insecticides have been identified for controlling sugarcane beetles in sweetpotatoes. In 

fields that historically have had sugarcane beetle problems, crop rotation may be beneficial. Sweetpotato fields near pastures 

or hay fields appear to be more at risk for sugarcane beetle infestations. Planting more productive fields (fields 

with higher yield potential) first and harvesting them as soon as possible may allow these fields to be harvested before 

sugarcane beetle infestations get severe. Sugarcane beetles may also be brought into storage facilities on or in infested 

potatoes. Sugarcane beetles are strongly attracted to lights. In storage areas kept in darkness for periods of time (such as 

overnight), light traps may be helpful in capturing beetles and reducing damage to stored sweetpotatoes. 

Thrips 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 




PHI 

(days) 

Comments 




7–10.5 oz. 

0.25–0.38 

18.3–12.2 

125 




1.28–1.92 oz. 

0.02–0.03 

100–66.7 

7 

Does not control western flower thrips. 


Radiant 1SC 

6–8 oz. 

0.05–0.06 

21.3–16 

7 


Blackhawk 

2.25–3.5 oz. 

0.05–0.08 

7.1–4.6 

3 

tHRIPs can stunt and reduce growth in young transplants. ey can quickly infest freshly planted fields, especially when alternate 

hosts (weeds and border plants) are senescing or have been destroyed by chemical or mechanical means. Scout for thrips by 

beating plants onto a white surface and counting them as they move about. Sample at least 50 plants. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when plants are stunted and thrips are present. 

Storage 

Insects 

Insecticide 

sweetpotato Weevils 

phosmet (OP) 

Imidan 5D 

4 oz./50 bu 

Amount of Formulation per Acre 


Apply to stored Sweetpotatoes in areas of suspected sweetpotato weevil infestation 

as a preventive treatment. 

Fruit Flies 

pyrethrins 

Apply 1 gal. of solution/100,000 cu ft. Refer to label for proper 

dilution. 

Space spray for stored sweetpotatoes. 

sugarcane Beetles 

Supplemental Information 

Sugarcane beetles may also be brought into storage facilities on or in infested potatoes. 

Currently no effective insecticides have been identified for controlling sugarcane 

beetles in sweetpotatoes. Sugarcane beetles are strongly attracted to lights. In 

storage areas kept in darkness for periods of time (such as overnight), light traps 

may be helpful in capturing beetles and reducing damage to stored sweetpotatoes. 

Based on historical data, the following pests could be expected at different stages of plant development. is is a generalized 

statement; conditions may be different on specific farms or in specific seasons. 

stages of Plant Development 

Plant beds 

Planting to runner development 

Canopy closure to full root development 

Root maturity to harvest 

Post-harvest storage 

Insect Pests 

Sweetpotato weevils, flea beetles, aphids, whiteflies 

Wireworms, white grubs, root worms, flea beetle adults and larvae, whitefringed beetle 

larvae, cutworms, thrips 

Wireworms, root worms, white grubs, flea beetle larvae, caterpillars 

Wireworms, root worms, white grubs, flea beetle larvae, sugarcane beetles, caterpillars 

Sweetpotato weevils, sugarcane beetles, fruit flies 

Foliar Insecticide Application Recommendations 

Adequate coverage can be difficult but is essential with most products. Best results from contact insecticides will be with application 

volumes of 5 to 10 gallons per acre. Apply foliar insecticides with hollow cone nozzles and do not exceed 12 gallons per acre 

application volume. 

80 Sweetpotatoes

RICE INSECT MANAGEMENT 

Chinch 

Bugs 

Insecticide 



Nipsit INSIDE 

Amount of 


1.92 fl. oz. 

Pounds Active 





Per 100 lbs. seed. 

Or the equivalent of 0.075 lbs. ai/100 lbs. seed. 


Cruiser 5FS 

3.3 fl. oz. 

Per 100 lbs. seed. 

Or the equivalent of 0.03 mg thiamethoxam per seed. 



Belay 2.13 

4.5 fl. oz. 

0.075 

28 

Do not apply after third tillering has initiated. 


Prolex 1.25CS 

Proaxis 0.5CS 

1.28 – 2.05 fl. oz. 

3.2 – 5.12 fl. oz. 

0.0125 – 0.02 

0.0125 – 0.02 

62 – 100 

25 – 40 



Lambda 2.08CS 

1.6 – 2.56 fl. oz. 

1.6 – 2.56 fl. oz. 

0.025 – 0.04 

0.025 – 0.04 

50 – 80 

50 – 80 

Treat when stand loss occurs. Do not tank mix carbaryl with propanil or apply within 14 

days of a propanil application. Flushing or flooding alone may not control chinch bugs. 



2.64 – 4.0 fl. oz. 

0.165 – 0.025 

32 – 48.5 

Rice plants are most susceptible to injury from chinch bugs during the first 3 weeks after plant emergence. Fields should be 

scouted frequently during this time. First instar nymphs are orange and about one-sixteenth inch long. As chinch bugs mature 

through subsequent instars, they become black with conspicuous wing pads. ey feed mostly on the rice stems just below the surface 

of the soil. Flooding or flushing will help control this pest, but an insecticide application may still be necessary. Chinch bugs 

are less active during the day and often hidden behind leaf sheaths and below the soil surface. Insecticides applied late in the day or 

early in the morning often provide the best results. 

tHResHoLD: treat when stand loss occurs. 

Fall 

Armyworms 

Insecticide 


Prolex 1.25CS 

Proaxis 0.5CS 

Amount of 


1.28 – 2.05 fl. oz. 

3.2 – 5.12 fl. oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.0125 – 0.02 

0.0125 – 0.02 



62 – 100 

25 – 40 




Lambda 2.08CS 

1.6 – 2.56 fl. oz. 

1.6 – 2.56 fl. oz. 

0.025 – 0.04 

0.025 – 0.04 

50 – 80 

50 – 80 



3.2 – 4.0 fl. oz. 

0.02 – 0.025 

32 – 48.5 

Occasional outbreaks of fall armyworms and other armyworm species occur in rice fields in Mississippi. ese insects feed 

mostly on leaves and stems of un-flooded rice. ey may move out of nearby wheat fields and grassy areas into fields that have 

seedling rice plants. Submerging the crop with water usually provides an effective control. If the rice plants are too young to be 

flooded, use an insecticide. ese insects occasionally occur in headed rice and, if left uncontrolled, will cause substantial yield 

losses. 

tHResHoLD: treat when you find an average of five or more worms per 10 sweeps or when you see considerable damage. 

Rice 81

Grasshoppers 

Insecticide 

Amount of 


Pounds Active 






Prolex 1.25CS 

Proaxis 0.5CS 

1.28 – 2.05 fl. oz. 

3.2 – 5.12 fl. oz. 

0.0125 – 0.02 

0.0125 – 0.02 

62 – 100 

25 – 40 



Lambda 2.08CS 

1.6 – 2.56 fl. oz. 

1.6 – 2.56 fl. oz. 

0.025 – 0.04 

0.025 – 0.04 

50 – 80 

50 – 80 

Z-cypemethrin (P) 


3.2 – 4.0 fl. oz. 

0.02 – 0.025 

32 – 48.5 

Several species of grasshoppers may be found in rice fields. Green grasshoppers from the longhorn species usually feed on the 

flower parts of the plants. e brown species feed on leaves and the sides of stems of rice plants. Injured plants will sometimes produce 

white heads. 

Grasshoppers are very seldom an economic problem in rice fields. However, during drought conditions, large numbers may 

move into fields as food plants around the fields dry up. In most situations, only border treatment is necessary to control a damaging 

population. Start checking the rice fields when rice is about 10 percent headed. Sample four to six locations. Sample fields at 

least once a week with a sweep net until rice heads are mature. 

tHResHoLD: treatments should be made when you find an average of 5 grasshoppers in 10 sweeps during the first 2 

weeks of heading. After the field is completely headed and most of the heads are in the milk stage, treatments should be 

made when you find an average of 10 grasshoppers in 10 sweeps. 

Rice Water 

Weevils 

(Eggs) 

Insecticide 


Belay 

Amount of 


4.5 fl. oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.075 



28 


Do not apply more than 0.075 lb. ai./acre per season. 

(Adults) 


Dimilin 2L 

12 – 16 fl. oz. 

0.19 – 0.25 

8 – 10.6 

Apply an insecticide when adults and feeding scars are observed and conditions are 

favorable for egg laying. Kills the eggs of rice water weevils. Apply 2 to 5 days after 

the permanent flood has been established. 



Lambda 2.08CS 

1.6 – 2.56 fl. oz. 

1.6 – 2.56 fl. oz. 

0.025 – 0.04 

0.025 – 0.04 

50 – 80 

50 – 80 

Apply an insecticide when adults and feeding scars are observed and conditions are 

favorable for egg laying. Kills only adult rice water weevils. Apply within a week of 

permanent flood establishment. 

Z-cypemethrin (P) 


3.2 – 4.0 fl. oz. 

0.02 – 0.025 

32 – 40 

Rice Water 

Weevils 

(Larvae) 

Rough Rice Seeding Rate 

(lb./A) 

100 – 120 

90 – 100 

80 – 90 

60 – 80 

30 – 40 

≤ 30 

thiamethoxam 

Cruiser 5 FS 

3.3 

3.3 

3.3 

3.3 

3.3 

3.3 

Rate in fl. oz. per 100 lbs. seed 

chlorantraniliprole 

Dermacor X-100 

1.50 

1.75 

2.00 

2.50 

5.00 

6.00 

clothianidin 

Nipsit INSIDE 

1.92 

1.92 

1.92 

1.92 

1.92 

1.92 

e labeled rate for Cruiser is 0.03 mg of thiamethoxam per seed. erefore, the actual rate per 100 pounds seed may vary slightly based on the number of seeds per pound. 

Rice water weevils occur throughout Mississippi’s rice-growing area. Fields planted to rice for several years usually have larger populations 

than fields recently brought into production. e adults are grayish-brown, broad-nosed, and about one-eighth inch long. 

Adults overwinter in grasses and ground trash near rice fields. ey are strong fliers and migrate into rice fields in the spring. Adult 

weevils may be found in rice before flooding but usually invade fields in large numbers soon after flooding. If the field is flushed, water 

weevils may be attracted before a permanent flood is established. Weevil activity is more common in areas with open water, such as 

around levees, and thin stands. Higher populations are usually found in fields flooded between late May and mid-June. 

82 Rice

Adult weevils feed on the leaves of rice plants. ey remove portions of the upper leaf surface, resulting in a feeding scar. e 

adult leaf feeding does not seriously damage rice plants but does indicate whether or not adult weevils are present. e adults move 

into a field of rice and lay eggs on young plants. After the eggs hatch, the larvae move down the plants to the root system. e larvae, 

or root maggots, feed on the root system. ey can injure plants seriously by pruning the root system. Larvae are white, legless, 

and up to one-fourth inch long. ey feed on the root system for about 3 weeks, until they pupate. Weevils spend about 2 weeks in 

the pupae stage before emerging as adults. 

Start checking fields within the first few days after flooding. Rice fields with a history of water weevil infestations are more 

likely to require treatment than those without a history of damaging water weevil populations. Adults usually appear first in areas 

where water is deep and stands are sparse, exposing open water. Populations are heavier around open areas and levee ditches than in 

thicker stands in bay areas. Check these areas for signs of adult feeding, but do not decide to treat based only on weevil counts 

from such areas. ey may not be representative of the infestation level in the other, more typical plant population areas of the 

field. Check six or more locations that are representative of rice plant populations. Correct timing of the insecticide application is 

necessary for acceptable control. 

tHResHoLD: Apply an insecticide when adults and feeding scars are observed and conditions are good for egg laying. 

treat the fields within the first 7 days after establishment of the permanent flood. Data from other rice producing states show 

that a pyrethroid application up to 5 days before flooding can provide effective control of rice water weevil adults. Generally, one 

application of insecticide has provided effective control. A second application may be needed in areas with severe water weevil populations. 

In areas with moderate to severe populations, research has shown that seed treatments are more effective than foliar applications 

with a pyrethroid. 

Rice Stink 

Bugs 

Insecticide 


Prolex 1.25CS 

Proaxis 0.5CS 

Amount of 


1.28 – 2.05 fl. oz. 

3.2 – 5.12 fl. oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.0125 – 0.02 

0.0125 – 0.02 



62 – 100 

25 – 40 




Lambda 2.08CS 

1.6 – 2.56 fl. oz. 

1.6 – 2.56 fl. oz. 

0.025 – 0.04 

0.025 – 0.04 

50 – 80 

50 – 80 


Malathion 57% EC 

Malathion 5 

1 – 1.5 pt. 

1 – 1.5 pt. 

0.625 – 0.94 

0.625 – 0.94 

8 – 16 

8 – 16 



2.64 – 4.0 fl. oz. 

0.165 – 0.025 

32 – 48.5 

e adult rice stink bug is light brown and shield-shaped. It spends the winter in clumps of grass and other ground litter before 

emerging in the spring to feed on grasses. e adult migrates to rice soon after rice begins to head. ere, it feeds and deposits eggs. 

Feeding on the milk stage of rice produces blank grains. Feeding on the soft dough stage can cause peckiness of grains, but peckiness 

can also be caused by other factors. Start checking the rice fields when rice is about 10 percent headed. Sample four to six locations. 

Sample fields at least once a week with a sweep net until rice heads are mature. 

tHResHoLD: treatments should be made when you find an average of three stink bugs in 10 sweeps from panicle emergence 

through soft dough. After that point, treatments should be made when you find an average of 10 stink bugs in 10 

sweeps. 

Mowing grass prior to the grass heading around the edges of the rice fields can decrease rice stink bug populations in the field. 

Grasses with seed heads may host the rice stink bug, so mowing eliminates potential stink bug habitat. 

Rice 83

PEANUT INSECT MANAGEMENT 

Insect pests in peanuts can be divided into three general groups: foliage feeders, sucking pests, and soil insects. Peanuts can tolerate 

some leaf damage with no effects on yield. Sample fields weekly and make treatment decisions based on set economic thresholds. 

Foliage Feeders 

To scout for foliage feeders in peanuts, randomly select a 3-foot section of row in the field. Vigorously shake the plants over the 

row middle to dislodge the caterpillars, much like you would do when taking a drop cloth sample. Count the total number of larvae 

dislodged, and repeat this process across the field. While walking through the field, pay attention to moths that may fly, as this 

will help to identify potential infestations. Also, monitor for leaf-feeding damage. If defoliation approaches 20 percent, consider reducing 

the threshold. 

Fall 

Armyworms 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 




Baythroid XL 1EC 2.4 – 2.8 fl. oz. 0.019 – 0.022 53.33 – 45.72 


Prevathon 0.43SC 14 – 20 fl. oz. 0.047 – 0.067 9 – 6.4 

chlorantraniliprole (D), 


Besiege 6 – 10 oz. 21 – 12 


Tombstone 2EC 2.4 – 2.8 fl. oz. 0.038 – 0.44 53.33 – 45.72 


Dimilin 2L 4 – 8 fl. oz. 0.25 – 0.50 32 – 16 


Belt 4SC 2 – 4 oz. 0.06 – 0.125 64 – 32 


Prolex 1.25EC 1 – 1.5 fl. oz. 0.01 – 0.015 128 – 85.33 


Steward 1.25EC 9.2 – 11.3 fl. oz. 0.09 – 0.11 13.91 – 11.34 


Karate Z 2.08SC 1.28 – 1.96 fl. oz. 0.02 – 0.03 100 – 65.31 


Intrepid 2F 6 – 10 fl. oz. 0.09 – 0.16 21 – 12.8 



Intrepid Edge 4 – 8 oz. 32 – 16 


Diamond 0.83 SC 6 – 12 fl. oz. 0.04 – 0.08 21 – 11 


Blackhawk 1.7 – 3.3 oz. 0.038 – 0.075 9.4 – 4.8 


Radiant SC 3 – 8 oz. 0.023 – 0.063 43 – 16 

Comments 

Do not make more than three applications per year. 

21 days PHI. 


Do not make more than three applications per season. Because Dimilin is an IGR, insects 

must ingest treated foliage. Control may not be evident for 5 to 7 days. 

Do not apply more than 0.06 lb. AI per acre per season. 

Do not apply more than 45 fl. oz. per acre per season. 

Do not exceed 1 pt. per acre per season. Do not graze or use treated vines for animal 

feed. 


Do not feed treated peanut hay or vines to livestock. 

Do not feed hay for 14 days following final application. Do not apply more than 9 fl. 

oz. per acre per year. 


FALL ARMyWoRMs are a pest of peanuts throughout the growing season. Two host strains of this species can occur in 

peanuts, and management options can vary greatly between the two strains. e two strains include the grass/rice strain and the 

corn strain. Infestations of the grass/rice strain become established when poor weed control leaves grass in the field. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when four or more caterpillars per row foot are present early in the season or when plants are stressed from 

drought or some other cause. In older, more lush peanuts, treat when eight or more caterpillars are present. 

84 Crop Peanuts Name

Beet 

Armyworms 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 







Besiege 6 – 10 oz. 21 – 12 


Belt 4SC 2 – 4 oz. 0.06 – 0.125 64 – 32 

21 days PHI. 

Comments 



methomyl (C) 

Lannate 2.4LV 24 – 48 fl. oz. 0.45 – 0.9 5.33 – 2.67 









Blackhawk 1.7 – 3.3 oz. 0.038 – 0.075 9.4 – 4.8 


Radiant SC 3 – 8 oz. 0.023 – 0.063 43 – 16 


Do not exceed more than 12 pt. per season. Do not feed treated vines to livestock. 



Do not feed hay for 14 days following final application. Do not apply more than 9 fl oz 

per acre per year. 


e Beet ARMyWoRM larva can be identified by a small black spot on each side of the second body segment, directly 

above the second pair of true legs. e larva has four pairs of prologs and a smooth body. Color may vary from grayish-green to almost 

black with pale lines running the length of the body. 



Corn 

Earworms 

or 

Bollworms 

or 

Tobacco 

Budworms 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 







Besiege 6 – 10 oz. 21 – 12 


Belt 4SC 2 – 4 oz. 0.06 – 0.125 64 – 32 







Blackhawk 1.7 – 3.3 oz. 0.038 – 0.075 9.4 – 4.8 


Radiant SC 3 – 8 oz. 0.023 – 0.063 43 – 16 

21 days PHI. 

Comments 


Do not feed hay for 14 days following final application. Do not apply more than 9 fl. 




CoRn eARWoRMs oR BoLLWoRMs oR toBACCo BUDWoRMs vary in color from light green to pink, dark 

brown, or rust, with pale lines running the length of the body. ey have four pairs of abdominal prologs and are about 1¼ inch 

long when fully grown. Infestations can occur throughout the growing season. 



Crop Peanuts Name 85

Cutworms 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 



Comments 


Baythroid XL 1EC 1.0 – 1.8 fl. oz. 0.008 – 0.014 128 – 71.11 


Brigade 2EC 2.1 – 6.4 fl. oz. 0.033 – 0.1 61 – 20 


Do not apply more than 0.5 lb. AI per acre per season. Do not feed peanut hay to livestock. 





Besiege 6 – 10 oz. 21 – 12 


Tombstone 2EC 1.0 – 1.8 fl. oz. 0.016 – 0.028 128 – 71.11 


Asana XL 0.66EC 9.6 fl. oz. 0.05 13.33 

21 days PHI. 


Do not exceed more than 0.15 lb. AI per acre per season. Do not feed or graze livestock 

on treated vines. 


Belt 4SC 2 – 4 fl. oz. 0.06 – 0.125 64 – 32 


Prolex 1.25EC 0.75 – 1.25 fl. oz. 0.0075 – 0.0125 170.67 – 102.4 

Declare 1.25EC 0.75 – 1.25 fl. oz. 0.0075 – 0.0125 170.67 – 102.4 




Karate Z 2.08SC 1.28 – 1.92 fl. oz. 0.015 – 0.025 100 – 65.31 







Mustang Max 0.8EC 1.28 – 4 fl oz. 0.008 – 0.025 100 – 32 




feed. 



Do not apply more than 0.15 lb. AI per acre per season. Do not graze livestock in 

treated areas or use treated vines for animal feed. 

In peanuts, there are several species of CUtWoRMs that occur. ey are most active around dusk and dawn, and will be hidden 

below the soil surface during the day. Early in the season, these insects will cut the plant off just above the soil surface. Later in 

the season, they will feed on the foliage. DINGY CUTWORMS AND GRANULATE CUTWORMS are more difficult to control 

than other species. Pyrethroid insecticides ARE NOT effective when treating dingy cutworms and granulate cutworms. 



Grasshoppers 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 



Comments 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 0.28 – 0.56 lb. 0.25 – 0.5 3.6 – 1.8 

Orthene 97AG 0.26 – 0.52 oz. 0.25 – 0.5 3.8 – 1.9 






Prolex 1.25EC 1 – 1.5 fl. oz. 0.01 – 0.015 128 – 85.33 

Declare 1.25EC 1 – 1.5 fl. oz. 0.01 – 0.015 128 – 85.33 


Karate Z 2.08CS 1.28 – 1.92 fl.oz. 0.02 – 0.03 100 – 65.31 


Mustang Max 0.8EC 3.2 – 4.0 fl. oz. 0.02 – 0.025 40 – 32 

Do not feed treated foliage to livestock or allow animals to graze treated areas. 





feed. 



GRAssHoPPeRs are mainly foliage-feeders in peanuts. Females lay eggs in a cemented pod below the soil surface, most 

often in undisturbed grassy sites such as roadsides, prairies, field borders, and ditch banks. Nymphs go through five or six instars, 

depending on the species. Nymphs and adults are damaging. You can tell the difference between grasshopper nymphs and adults 

by the presence of wing pads (not fully developed wings). Weather is the most important factor influencing population densities. 

Grasshoppers are more numerous following a drought, especially when it lasts for several years in a row. Populations usually build 

around field borders before spreading into the field. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when 25 percent or greater defoliation of leaves occurs and insects are present in the field. 


Rednecked 

Peanut 

Worms 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 







Comments 







Besiege 6 – 10 oz. 21 – 12 


Tombstone 2E 1.0 – 1.8 fl. oz. 0.016 – 0.028 128 – 71.11 


Asana XL 0.66EC 2.9 – 5.8 fl. oz. 0.015 – 0.03 44.14 – 22.07 

21 days PHI. 





Belt 4SC 2 – 4 fl. oz. 0.06 – 0.125 64 – 32 


Prolex 1.25EC 0.75 – 1.25 fl. oz. 0.0075 – 0.0125 170.67 – 120.4 







Karate Z 2.08CS 0.96 – 1.6 fl. oz. 0.015 – 0.025 133.34 – 80 







Blackhawk 1.7 – 3.3 oz. 0.039 – 0.075 9.4 – 4.8 


Radiant SC 3 – 8 oz. 0.023 – 0.063 43 – 16 


Mustang Max 0.8E 1.28 – 4.0 oz. 0.008 – 0.025 100 – 32 


feed. 



Do not feed hay for 14 days following final application. Do not apply more than 9.0 fl. 





e ReDneCKeD PeAnUt WoRM is a light-colored larva with a red band on the two segments behind the head. It is the most common 

foliage feeder in Oklahoma, but it is extremely rare in Mississippi. Larva feed exclusively on terminal buds. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when excessive terminal damage (more than 80 percent) is present. 

Soybean 

Loopers 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 







Besiege 6 – 10 oz. 21 – 12 

flubendiamide 

Belt 4SC 2 – 4 oz. 0.06 – 0.125 64 – 32 

21 days PHI. 

Comments 




methoxyfenozide 






Blackhawk 1.7 – 3.3 oz. 0.039 – 0.075 9.4 – 4.8 


Radiant SC 3 – 8 oz. 0.023 – 0.063 43 – 16 

Do not feed hay for 14 days following final application. Do not apply more than 9 fl. oz. 



Do not feed hay for 14 days following final application. Do not apply more than 9.0 fl. oz. 



soyBeAn LooPeRs are migratory insects that fly in from Central and South America each year and infest peanuts late in the season. 

Soybean loopers are leaf-feeders and can cause extensive defoliation when present in high numbers. e larva has a characteristic looping movement 

when crawling. It is light green with white lines running the length of the body on the sides and top. e body tapers toward the head, 

and the larva has two pairs of abdominal prolegs. e soybean looper has developed resistance to some insecticides but is often controlled by disease 

organisms. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when four or more caterpillars per row foot are present early in the season or when plants are stressed from drought or 

some other cause. In older, more lush peanuts, treat when eight or more caterpillars are present. 


Velvetbean 

Caterpillars 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 





Comments 




carbaryl (C) 

Sevin 4F, XLR 32 fl. oz. 1.0 4 

Sevin 80S 1.25 lb. 1.0 


Do not apply more than 8 qt. per acre per season. 





Besiege 6 – 10 oz. 21 – 12 


Tombstone 2E 1.0 – 1.8 fl. oz. 0.016 – 0.028 128 – 71.11 


Dimilin 2L 2 – 4 fl. oz. 0.03 – 0.06 64 – 32 



21 days PHI. 


Do not make more than three applications per season. Because Dimilin is an IGR, insects 

must ingest treated foliage. Control may not be evident for 5 to 7 days. 

Do not exceed more than 0.15 lb. AI per acre per season. Do not feed or graze livestock on 

treated vines. 


Belt 4SC 2 – 4 oz. 0.06 – 0.125 64 – 32 


Prolex 1.25EC 0.75 – 1.25 fl. oz. 0.0075 – 0.0125 170.67 – 120.4 




methoxyfenozide 






Blackhawk 1.7 – 3.3 oz. 0.038 – 0.075 9.4 – 4.8 


Mustang Max 0.8EC 1.28 – 4.0 fl. oz. 0.008 – 0.025 100 – 32 


Do not exceed 1 pt. per acre per season. Do not graze or use treated vines for animal feed. 


Do not feed hay for 14 days following final application. Do not apply more than 9.0 fl. oz. 


Do not apply more than 0.15 lb. AI per acre per season. Do not graze livestock in treated 

areas or use treated vines for animal feed. 

VeLVetBeAn CAteRPILLAR larvae vary from light to dull green, with white lines running the length of the body. e 

lines on the side of the body are usually much broader than those of green cloverworms or loopers. Velvetbean caterpillars have four 

pairs of abdominal prolegs and are about 1½ inch long when fully developed. When disturbed, the velvetbean caterpillar becomes 

very active and wriggles about like the green cloverworm. Velvetbean caterpillars are migratory insects flying in from Central and 

South America each year. Velvetbean caterpillars are primarily foliage-feeders but will feed on petioles, causing pods to drop to the 

ground after a significant loss of foliage. Velvetbean caterpillars generally are late-season pests of peanuts in Mississippi. Foliar Bt 

products may also be effective in controlling velvetbean caterpillars. 




Sucking Pests 

Sucking pests in peanuts include leafhoppers, spider mites, three-cornered alfalfa hoppers, and thrips. Scouting for leafhoppers 

and three-cornered alfalfa hoppers is best accomplished by visual observation. Gently disturb the plants and count the insects as 

they fly. e use of a sweep net is difficult in peanuts because of the growth pattern. Spider mites can be detected by visually examining 

the underside of leaves, and thrips are best monitored by beating young plants onto a white box or cloth to dislodge insects. 

Leafhoppers 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 



Comments 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 0.83 – 1.1 lb. 0.75 – 1.0 1.2 – 1 

Orthene 97AG 0.77 – 1.03 lb. 0.75 – 1.0 1.3 – 0.97 










Brigadier 3.5 – 5.6 fl. oz. 34 – 23 



Hero 4 – 10.3 fl. oz. 32 – 16 

carbaryl (C) 


Sevin 80S 1.25 lb. 1.0 


Tombstone 2EC 1.0 – 1.8 fl. oz. 0.016 – 0.028 128 – 71.11 




Prolex 1.25EC 0.75 – 1.25 fl. oz. 0.0075 – 0.0125 170.67 – 120.4 





Mustang Max 0.8EC 1.76 – 4.0 fl. oz. 0.011 – 0.025 72.7 – 32 







Do not apply more than 0.15 lb. AI per acre per season. Do not graze livestock in treated 

areas or use treated vines for animal feed. 

ere are several species of LeAFHoPPeRs that will feed on peanuts. e potato leafhopper is the most common. is is a 

light green, wedge-shaped insect that is about one-fourth inch long. is insect feeds by sucking fluids from the leaves. Damage appears 

as chlorotic spots on the tip of the leaf that become larger over time (hopper burn). 

tHResHoLD: Treat when 25 percent of plants show hopper burn damage and insects are present. 

Spider 

Mites 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 



propargite (PG) 

Comite II 6EC 36 fl. oz. 1.68 3.56 

Comments 

Do not apply more than twice per season. Do not graze or feed livestock on treated 

areas or cut treated forage for hay. Foliar burn may occur, especially if air temperature is 

above 90 °F. 

sPIDeR MItes are small relatives of insects that feed on the undersides of peanut leaves. Initial infestations may be in small 

isolated areas of the field, then move outward. Under low infestations, leaves will become yellow. Under higher pressure, leaves 

will turn brown to reddish-brown and may fall from the plant. Spider mite infestations tend to be more of a problem in hot, dry 

periods. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when populations threaten premature defoliation. 


ee- 

Cornered 

Alfalfa 

Hoppers 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 






Brigade 2 EC 2.1 – 6.4 fl. oz. 0.033 – 0.1 61 – 20 

Comments 





Brigadier 3.5 – 5.6 fl. oz. 34 – 23 



Hero 4 – 10.3 fl. oz. 32 – 16 

carbaryl (C) 


Sevin 80S 1.25 lb. 1.0 




Prolex 1.25EC 0.75 – 1.25 fl. oz. 0.075 – 0.0125 170.67 – 120.4 



Karate Z 2.08CS 0.96 – 1.6 0.015 – 0.025 133.33 – 80 





tHRee-CoRneReD ALFALFA HoPPeRs are green, triangular-shaped insects about one-fourth inch long. Young hoppers 

or nymphs are green to light brown, wingless, and covered with spines. ey will feed around the stem of plants, girdling the stem. 

is makes the stem prone to breaking easily and interferes with nutrient movement in the plant. Damaged stems will often turn a 

deep purple color. ree-cornered alfalfa hoppers will also feed on the pegs. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when fresh damage is present and number approach two insects per 6 row feet. 

rips 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 



Comments 

In Furrow 

phorate (OP) 5 lb. 1 


Admire Pro 7.0 – 10.5 oz. 0.25 – 0.37 


fluopyram (F) 

Velum Total 14.0 – 18.0 oz. *0.24 – 0.31 

Foliar 

acephate (OP) 

Orthene 90S 0.42 – 0.83 lb. 0.38 – 0.75 2.4 – 1.2 

Orthene 97AG 0.39 – 0.77 lb. 0.38 – 0.75 2.6 – 1.3 

Apply in furrow at planting. Do not graze or feed treated hay or forage to livestock. 

In-furrow spray directed on or below the seed. 

*a.i. of imidacloprid in mix. 


Controlling tHRIPs significantly reduces the probability of tomato spotted wilt virus. rips transmit this disease to the plant 

when feeding. erefore, applying an in-furrow insecticide is recommended when planting peanuts. ere is little evidence to show 

that thrips will reduce yield in peanuts, even at high levels. 

tHResHoLD: Research has shown no benefit to foliar treating thrips populations. Under extreme conditions, treatment may be 

warranted. 

90 Peanuts

Soil Insects 

Monitoring for some soil insects can be done before planting. Dig soil about 4 to 8 inches deep, and pass through a sieve to scout 

for most soil insects. After crop emergence, monitor in a similar manner, looking closely near the base of the plants. Soil insects are 

usually more of a problem following a grass crop. In areas known to have a problem, treatment is recommended before planting. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when fresh damage or borers are found at 30 percent of sites scouted. 

Lesser 

Cornstalk 

Borers 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 


Lorsban 15G 13.6 lb. 2 



Comments 

Do not apply more than 30 (broadcast or banded) oz. per 1000 feet of row or 26.6 lb. 

per acre per crop season. For banded applications use a 10- to 18-inch band. If banding 

on row spacings other than 36 inches, use 14.7 oz. per 1000 linear feet. 

Southern 

Corn 

Rootworms 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 





Comments 

Do not apply more than 30 (banded) oz. per 1000 feet of row or 26.6 lb. per acre per 

crop season. For banded applications use a 10- to 18-inch band. If banding on row 

spacings other than 36 inches, use 14.7 oz. per 1000 linear feet. 

e adult soUtHeRn CoRn RootWoRM is also known as the 12-spotted cucumber beetle. Adults are found on 

many plants throughout the growing season. Females deposit their eggs at the base of the plants. Upon hatching, the larvae 

move into the root zone and begin feeding. e larva is about one-half inch long when full-sized. It has three pairs of small legs 

just behind the head and brownish patches on the head and tail end. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when fresh damage or insects are found at 30 percent of scouted sites. 

Wireworms 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 



Comments 



Suppression only. Do not apply more than 30 oz. per 1000 feet of row or 26.6 lb. per 

acre per crop season. For banded applications use a 10- to 18-inch band. 

If banding on row spacings other than 36 inches, use 14.7 oz. per 1000 linear feet. 

WIReWoRMs are the larval stages of click beetles. e larvae are elongated, slender, and usually brown. Depending on 

species, larvae may take 2 to 5 years to mature. is pest is often difficult to control in fields that were fallow or in pasture before 

being planted in peanuts. Large larvae in the field at planting are the most destructive. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when two or more wireworms are present at each location. 

Burrower 

Bugs 

Insecticide 

Rate per Acre 





Comments 

Do not apply more than 30 (broadcast or banded) oz. per 1000 feet of row or 

26.6 lb. per acre per crop season. For banded applications use a 10- to 18-inch band. If 

banding on row spacings other than 36 inches, use 14.7 oz. per 1000 linear feet. 

BURRoWeR BUGs are black, oval-shaped insects with spiny legs. ey resemble stink bugs in appearance but are much 

smaller. Damage is similar to that of stink bugs. ey will feed underground, feeding through the shell directly on the nut. 

tHResHoLD: Treat when two bugs are present per 3 feet of row at pod stage. 

Peanuts 91

PASTURE INSECT MANAGEMENT 

Fall 

Armyworms 

Insecticide 


*Baythroid XL 1EC 

Amount of 


1.6 – 1.9 oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.013 – 0.015 



80 – 67 

Pre-Grazing 

Interval 

0 

Pre-Harvest 

Interval 

0 


0 day restriction for grazing or hay. 

carbaryl (C) 

Sevin XLR 4L 

1.0 – 1.5 qt. 

1 – 1.5 

4 – 2.6 

14 

14 

Must remove cattle. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest or 

grazing. Other Sevin formulations are also available. 

carbaryl (C) 

Sevin 80WSP 

1.25 – 1.88 lb. 

1.0 – 1.5 

0.8 – 0.53 

14 

14 

Do not apply within 14 days of harvest or grazing. 



14 – 20 fl. oz 

0.047 – 0.067 

9 – 6.4 

0 

0 

Remove livestock before spraying. 


Dimilin 2L 

2 fl oz. 

0.031 

64 

0 

1 

Allow 1 day after treatment before cutting for hay. Apply when 

larvae are less than one-half inch in size. 


*Karate Z 2.08CS 

1.28 – 1.92 fl. oz. 

0.02 – 0.03 

100 – 66.7 

0 

7 

Do not apply within 7 days of harvest; 0 day restriction for grazing. 

Target larvae under one-half inch in size. 


Malathion 57EC 

1 qt. 

1.25 

4 

0 

0 

Must remove cattle. Allow spray to dry before harvest or grazing. 


Intrepid 2F 

4 – 8 fl. oz. 

0.06 – 0.12 

32 – 16 

0 

7 

Do not apply within 7 days of harvest; 0 day application restriction 

for grazing. 


Blackhawk 36% WDG 

1.1 – 2.2 oz. 

0.025 – 0.05 

14.5 – 7.3 

0 

3 

Do not apply within 3 days of harvest; 0 day restriction for grazing. 

Do not allow grazing until spray is dry. 


*Mustang Max 0.8EC 

2.8 – 4.0 fl. oz. 

0.0175 – 0.025 

45.7 – 32 

0 

0 

0 day application restriction for forage or hay. Do not allow grazing 

until spray is dry. 

* Denotes restricted-use insecticides. Must have private or commercial applicators’ license to purchase and apply restricted-use insecticides. 

Two types of armyworms commonly feed in hay and pastures in Mississippi. ey are tRUe ARMyWoRMs and FALL 

ARMyWoRMs. True armyworms are a problem in early spring, and fall armyworms occur in late summer (beginning mid- to 

late July). 

e adults (moths) are rarely seen during the day but become active in the late evening and during the night. Female moths 

lay eggs in the lower leaves of host plants. Feeding begins shortly after the eggs hatch. ese young larvae feed in the lower canopy, 

close to the ground, until they are approximately 1 inch long. Once the worms reach this size, they can eat a large amount of 

foliage. 

Begin looking for true armyworm outbreaks in early spring and fall armyworm outbreaks mid- to late July. Scout fields on a 

regular basis during periods of armyworm activity. Barnyard grass and broadleaf signal grass are favored hosts of armyworms. ese 

are good indicator plants; if there are no worms on these hosts, your Bermuda grass is probably OK. Consider cost, efficacy, mode 

of action, size of the larvae, grazing, and haying restrictions before choosing a product. 

tHResHoLD: To prevent excessive damage, treat when you find three to five caterpillars per square foot. Do not count caterpillars 

that are less than a quarter -inch long. 

92 Pasture

Bermudagrass 

Stem 

Maggots 

Insecticide/Formulation 

(active ingredient) 


*Mustang Max 0.8 EC 


*Baythroid XL, 1 lb./gal. 

Rate of Formulated 

Product per Acre 

2.8 fl. oz. 

1.6 fl. oz. 

Pounds Active 


0.0175 

0.013 

Acres 1 Gallon 

Will Treat 

45 

80 

Pre-Grazing 

Interval 

0 

0 

Pre-Harvest 

Interval 

0 

0 

Comments 

Do not allow grazing until spray is dry. 

0-day restriction for grazing or hay. 


*Karate Z, 2.08 lb./gal. 

1.28 fl. oz. 

0.02 

100 

0 

7 

Do not apply within 7 days of harvest; 0-day restriction for grazing. 

Target larvae under one-half inch in size. 

is information is for preliminary planning purposes only. Generic products containing some of the active ingredients listed above are also available. Be sure to carefully read the label of any product you 

plan to use, and follow all label restrictions carefully. 

*Denotes restricted-use pesticides. Must have private or commercial applicator’s license to purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides. 

BeRMUDAGRAss steM MAGGot (BGSM), Antherigona reversura, is a nonnative pest of bermudagrass hayfields that 

was first found in Mississippi in 2012. Bermudagrass hay producers need to become familiar with this new pest because it has the 

potential to cause significant reductions in bermudagrass hay yields. 

Adult flies are about the size of horn flies and have yellow abdomens. e legless, white larvae bore inside the tips of bermudagrass 

shoots, feeding down to the first internode and killing the shoot tip and emerging leaves. At first, this may seem like relatively 

minor damage, but heavy infestations can essentially stop a field from growing. When viewed from a distance, heavily infested 

fields have an unusual bronzed appearance due to the large number of dead, infested shoot tips. Such infestations have occurred 

across the Southeast, and yield reductions have been estimated to range from 20 percent to 50 percent. Fine-stemmed bermudagrass 

varieties, like most of those we currently grow, are most susceptible to attack, as are highly managed, well-fertilized fields. 

Populations increase through the growing season, so if the previous cutting sustained significant injury, assume damage will be 

even higher in the next cutting—unless you treat the field. Pastures are not seriously affected because grazing continually removes 

susceptible shoots. BGSM is specific to bermudagrass (it does not attack other types of grasses). 

With currently available insecticides, the larvae cannot be controlled once they have bored into the stem. Management depends 

on controlling adult flies before they lay eggs. Once a field has sustained heavy damage with a high percent of shoots infested, the 

best course of action is to harvest the field and prepare to control the flies in the next cutting. Because stem maggot populations are 

usually low in the spring and increase as the growing season progresses, infestations in the earlier cuttings of hay may not be high 

enough to cause significant damage, but the risk of damage increases for each successive cutting. 

Base treatment decisions on the amount of damage sustained in the previous cutting. If a field had 15–20 percent or more 

damaged shoot tips in the previous cutting, plan on treating for BGSM in the next cutting as described below: 

• Harvest the field and remove the bales. 

• Spray 5–7 days after harvest (as soon as the field begins to green up again). 

• Use the low rate of one of the pyrethroid insecticides that is labeled for fall armyworms. 

• Spray again 5–7 days later. 

• You may wish to add 2 fl oz Dimilin 2L to the second spray if fall armyworms are a threat. 

• Cut as soon as maturity and weather allow. 

Unfortunately, the timing required for control of BGSM does not coincide with the time in the growth cycle when fall armyworms 

are most likely to require control. Pyrethroid insecticides are effective against both pests, but BGSM sprays have to be applied 

early in the growth cycle, while fall armyworm infestations are most likely to occur in the later weeks of a crop growth cycle. 

Do not expect that sprays applied to control BGSM will provide season-long protection against fall armyworms. Continue to scout 

fields regularly for fall armyworms, and treat promptly when infestations occur. 

Pasture 93

Insecticide Classes, Reentry Intervals, and EPA Registration Numbers 

e reentry interval is the time period required by federal law between application of pesticides to crops and the entrance of workers 

into those crops without protective clothing. Reentry intervals serve to protect workers from possible pesticide poisoning. Growers, 

scouts, and other farm laborers must effectively communicate when and where pesticides have been applied. Reentry periods vary by 

product. Scouts should not enter fields until all reentry intervals have expired. Safety is of utmost importance. Be sure to establish 

proper communication channels with all parties involved. 

Producers are required to keep records, including EPA product registration numbers, of all insecticides applied to fields. Reentry 

intervals and product registration numbers for products not listed below are provided on the insecticide labels. 

Insecticide 

(IRAC Class)* 

Reentry 

Interval 

(hours) 

ePA Product 

Registration 

number** 

Insecticide 

(IRAC Class)* 

Reentry 

Interval 

(hours) 

* Insecticide mode of actions class as identified by Insecticide Resistance Action Committee: 1A, carbamates; 1B, organophosphates; 3A, pyrethroids; 4A, neonicotinoids; 5, spinosyns; 

6, avermectins; 9C, flonicamid; 10B, etoxazole; 12C, organosulfurs; 15, benzolureas; 18, diacylhydrazines; 21A, METI acaricides; 22A, oxadiazines; 23 = spiromesifen; 28, 

diamides; UN = unknown. 

** Registration numbers change with company brands, although the product name or active ingredient may be the same. Check the label to be sure. 

ePA Product 

Registration 

number** 

Acramite 12 400-514 Fanfare (3A) 12 66222-99 

Admire Pro (4A) 12 264-827 Force (3A) 0 100-1075 

Agri-Mek (6) 12 100-898 Fyfanon Plus ULV (1B,3A) 24 67760-108 

Ammo (3A) 12 279-3027-5905 Gaucho (4A) 12 264-968 

Asana XL (3A) 12 352-515 Hero (3A) 12 279-3315 

Baythroid XL (3A) 12 264-840 Intrepid (18) 4 62719-442 

Belay (4A) 12 59639-150 Intrepid Edge (5,18) 4 62719-666 

Belt SC (28) 12 264-1025 Intruder (4A) 12 8033-24-10163 

Besiege (3A, 28) 24 100-1402 Karate (3A) 24 100-1097 

Bidrin (1B) 6 days 5481-448 Lannate (1A) 72 352-384 

Bidrin XP II (3A, 1B) 6 days 5481-9024 Larvin (1A) 48 264-379 

Brigade (3A) 12 279-3313 Leverage 360 (3A,4A) 12 264-1104 

Brigadier (3A,4A) 12 279-3332 Lorsban Advanced (1B) 24 62719-591 

Carbine (9C) 12 71512-9-279 Malathion (1B) 12 See label 

Centric (4A) 12 100-1147 Methyl parathion (1B) 96 See label 

Cobalt Advanced (3A,1B) 24 62719-615 Mustang Max (3A) 12 279 - 3249 

Comite II (12C) 7 days 400-154 Oberon (23) 12 264-850 

Counter (1B) 48 5481-545 Orthene 90S (1B) 24 59639-33 

Couraze Max (4A) 12 264-783-67760 Poncho (4A) --- 264-789 

Cruiser (4A) 12 100-941 Pounce 25WP (3A) 12 279-3051 

Curacron (1B) 48 100-669 Portal (21A) 12 71711-19 

Delta Gold (3A) 12 264-1011-1381 Prevathon (28) 4 352-844 

Declare (3A) 24 67760-96 Radiant (5) 4 62719-545 

Denim (6) 48 100 - 903 Sevin XLR Plus (1A) 12 264-333 

Diamond (15) 12 66222-35-400 Sevin 80S (1A) 12 264-316 

Dicofol 4 (UN) 12 66222-56 Steward (22A) 12 352-638 

Dimethoate (1B) 48 See label Temik (1A) 48 264-330 

Dimilin (15) 12 400-461 Tracer (5) 4 62719-267 

Di-Syston (1B) 48 264-734 Vydate CL-V (1A) 48 352-532 

Discipline (3A) 12 5481-517 Warrior (3A) 24 100-1112 

Endigo ZC (3A,4A) 24 100-1276 Zeal (10B) 12 59639-123 

94

Additional Brand Names of Commonly Used Active Ingredients 

(Generic Insecticides) 

Active Ingredients (Common Brand names) 

abamectin (Agri-Mek, Zephyr, Zoro) 

Additional Brands with same or similar Active Ingredient* 

Abba, Temprano 

acephate (Orthene 90, Orthene 97) Acephate 90, Acephate 97 

bifenthrin (Brigade, Capture, Discipline, Fanfare) 

chlorpyrifos (Lorsban, Nufos) 

cypermethrin (Ammo) 

esfenvalerate (Asana XL) 

imidacloprid (Trimax Pro, Couraze Max) 

methyl parathion (Methyl 4E) 

permethrin (Pounce 3.2E) 

β-cyfluthrin (Baythroid XL) 

γ-cyhalothrin (Declare, Prolex) 

λ-cyhalothrin (Karate, Warrior II) 

Z-cypermethrin (Mustang Max) 

Bifenthrin, Bifenture, Capture LFR, Sniper, Tundra 

Chlorpyrifos, Govern, Lorsban Advanced, Warhawk, Yuma 

Cypermethrin, Up-Cyde 

Adjourn, S-FenvalorStar 

Alias, Imida, Imidacloprid, Nuprid, Pasada, Provado, Wrangler 

Methyl Parathion 4E, Penncap-M 2E 

Ambush 2E, Permethrin 3.2, Perm-Up 

Tombstone (= cyfluthrin) 

Proaxis 

Lambda, Lambda-Cy, LambdaStar, Silencer 

Respect 

*Read the insecticide label before making application. Although active ingredients are the same or very similar, brands often have different formulations, different 

labeled uses, and different use rates. is information is provided for educational purposes, and some of the additional brands listed above have not been independently 

evaluated by Mississippi State University. 

Spray Drift Precautions 

• Keep all aerial and ground application equipment maintained and calibrated using appropriate carriers. 

• Do not make aerial or ground applications during temperature inversions. 

• Make aerial or ground applications when wind velocity (approximately 3 to10 mph) favors on-target product deposition. Do 

not apply when wind velocity exceeds 15 mph. 

• For aerial applications, mount the spray boom on the aircraft to reduce drift caused by wing tip or rotor vortices. Boom length 

must not exceed 75 percent of wing span or rotor diameter. 

• When using pyrethroid insecticides, do not apply by ground within 25 feet or by air within 150 feet of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, 

permanent streams, marshes, natural ponds, estuaries, commercial fish ponds, or other bodies of water. Increase the buffer zone 

to 450 feet when ultralow volume (ULV) applications are made. Be sure to observe all other label restrictions regarding drift precautions 

for pyrethroids and all other insecticides. 

95

INSECTICIDE PERFORMANCE RATINGS 

*Effective on nymphs only. ES - early season; LS - late season 

Rating Scale: 0 = no control, 10 = excellent. e performance ratings in the chart are for comparison purposes only and are not necessarily a measure of percent control. 

**Cotton aphids and spider mites can be flared by use of broad-spectrum insecticides such as pyrethtoids or OPs. 

Modified from University of Arkansas “Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas MP144. 

Admire/Alias/Imidacloprid 12 0 0 3 3 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 2 2 0 

Aeris X 8 6 5 

Ammo 12 X 5 1 0 6 3 8 6 7 1 6 1 5 3/6 0 8 4 1 

Asana XL/Adjourn 12 X 5 2 0 6 3 8 6 7 2 8 2 5 3/7 0 8 4 2 

Bacillus thuringiensis 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 6 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 

Baythroid XL 12 X 5 2 6 2 8 7 7 2 8 2 5 3/7 0 8 4 4 

Belt 12 8 7 7 9 9 7 0 

Bidrin 6 X 0 0 5 6 5 0 7 0 0 0 0 1 6/8 0 9 9 3 

Bidrin XP II 6 X 5 2 6 6 5 8 7 7 2 8 2 5 7/9 5 9 9 3 

Brigadier 12 X 5 2 6 6 5 8 7 7 2 8 2 5 5/7 5 8 7 6 

Brigrade/Discipline/Fanfare 12 X 5 2 6 2 6 8 7 2 8 2 5 4/8 5 8 7 6 

Carbine 12 0 0 8 5 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 2 0 

Centric 12 0 0 5 4 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6/8 0 6 4 6 

Comite 144 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 

Confirm 4 8 8 0 0 0 2 0 4 4 7 7 8 0 0 0 0 0 

Cruiser 12 0 0 0 8 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Denim 12 8 9 0 1 1 7 2 7 7 9 9 3 0 5 0 0 0 

Diamond/Mayhem 12 8 1 1 1 4 4 6 6 7* 4* 4* 

Dicofol 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 

Dimethoate/Dimate 48 0 0 5 6 2 0 6 0 0 0 0 1 6/8 3 6 4* 3 

Endigo 24 X 5 2 8 6 4 8 7 7 2 8 2 5 7/8 0 8 7 8 

Gaucho 12 8 4 0 0 

Intrepid 4 8 9 0 0 0 5 0 6 6 9 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 

Intruder 12 0 0 9 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 1 6 

Karate/Silencer/Lambda-Cy 24 X 5 2 0 6 2 8 7 7 2 8 2 5 3/7 0 8 4 2 

Lannate 72 X 7 4 5 1 0 5 6 4 4 7 7 4 3 0 5 3 0 

Larvin 48 X 7 5 0 0 0 5 5 6 6 8 8 4 0 0 2 2 0 

Leverage 360 12 X 5 2 5 6 2 8 7 7 2 8 2 5 5/8 0 8 6 5 

Mustang Max/Respect 12 X 5 3 0 6 3 8 7 7 2 8 2 5 3/7 0 8 7 2 

Oberon 12 8 

Orthene/Acephate 24 4 3 4 6 5 6 8 5 5 7 4 3 7/9 0 6 9 5 

Portal 12 8 

Prevathon 4 9 9 9 9 9 0 

Prolex/Declare 24 X 5 2 0 6 2 8 7 7 2 8 2 5 3/7 0 8 4 2 

Radiant 4 6 7 7 8 

Steward 12 8 9 0 0 0 5 0 7 8 9 9 5 3 0 3 3 

Temik 48 X 9 6 0 0 

Tracer 4 7 9 0 1 1 7 2 7 8 9 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 

Vydate C-LV 48 X 0 0 1 3 1 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 8 7 0 

Zeal 12 9 

Zoro/Abba/Agri-Mek/Epi-Mek 12 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 2 7 0 0 0 

Insecticide 

Restricted Entry 

Interval (hours) 

Restricted Use (R) 

Fall Armyworm 

Beet Armyworm 

Aphid** 

rips 

Western 

Flower rip 

Cutworm 

Grasshopper 

Bollworm 

Tobacco 

Budworm 

Cabbage 

Looper 

Soybean 

Looper 

Salt Marsh 

Caterpillar 

Plant Bug 

(Delta/Hills) 

Spider Mite** 

Green and 

Southern Green 

Stink Bug 

Brown 

Stink Bug 

Whitefly 

Cotton 

96



Tracer 4 7 0 0 8 2 9 5 8 9 0 9 3 8 7 8 1 1 

Steward 12 9 0 0 8 0 9 5 8 9 0 4 8 8 8 3 2 

Sevin 12 5 3 8 3 7 8 5 1 1 0 8 8 3 6 6 5 4 

Prolex/Declare 24 X 8 8 7 8 7 9 5 3 7 0 9 4 3 7 5 8 5 

Orthene/Acephate 24 X 8 7 8 9 

Mustang Max/Respect 12 X 8 8 7 8 7 9 5 3 7 0 9 4 3 7 5 9 6 

Leverage 12 X 8 8 7 8 7 9 5 3 7 0 9 6 3 7 5 9 6 

Larvin 3.2 F 48 X 5 2 2 8 5 9 5 8 8 0 9 8 7 7 8 3 2 

Lannate 2.4 LV 48 X 2 5 5 8 6 9 4 7 7 0 9 4 7 7 8 7 5 

Karate/Silencer/Lambda-Cy 24 X 8 8 7 8 7 9 5 3 7 0 9 4 3 7 5 8 6 

Intrepid 4 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 5 

Hero 12 X 9 9 7 7 7 9 6 3 7 6 9 7 8 5 9 6 

Gaucho 12 5 5 

Endigo 24 X 8 8 7 8 7 9 5 3 7 0 9 8 3 7 5 9 7 

Dimethoate 48 0 6 5 5 7 3 1 2 2 4 3 6 2 4 2 7 6 

Cruiser 12 7 5 

Brigade/Discipline/Fanfare 12 X 9 9 7 7 7 9 6 3 7 6 9 7 8 5 9 6 

Belt 12 9 9 8 9 9 8 9 8 

Belay 12 7 7 

Baythroid XL 12 X 8 8 7 8 7 9 5 3 7 0 9 4 3 7 5 9 5 

Bacillus thuringiensis 4 0 0 0 5 0 8 3 6 6 0 8 0 2 0 2 0 0 

Asana XL/Adjourn 12 X 8 8 7 8 7 9 5 3 7 0 9 4 3 7 5 8 5 

Ambush/Pounce 12 X 7 6 7 6 8 4 2 6 0 8 4 3 7 4 4 3 

Insecticide 




Cutworm 

reecornered 

Alfalfa Hopper 

Blister Beetle 

Garden 

Webworm 

Grasshopper 

Green 

Cloverworm 

Saltmarsh 

Caterpillar 

Soybean Looper 

Cabbage Looper 

Spider Mite 

Velvetbean 

Caterpillar 

Bean Leaf Beetle 

Beet Armyworm 

Yellowstriped Fall 

Armyworm 

Corn Earworm 

Green Stink Bug 

Brown Stink Bug 

Soybeans 

Stem Feeders Defoliators 

Defoliators and Pod Feeders Pod Feeders 

97



Tracer 4 0 7 7 5 1 5 

imet/Phorate 48 X 5 0 1 

Sevin 12 X 3 4 5 2 8 5 2 

Regent 0 X 5 0 6 4 4 4 

Proaxis/Declare 24 X 7 6 8 6 6 8 6 8 4 

Prevathon 4 9 9 9 

Pounce/Perm-UP 12 X 7 5 8 6 6 8 6 4 

Poncho X 3 6 8 5 5 

Mustang Max/Respect 12 X 7 6 8 6 6 8 6 8 4 

Malathion 12 1 2 0 1 5 1 

Lorsban/Chlorpyrifos/Nufos 24 X 7 4 6 7 5 6 8 5 8 

Lannate 48 X 3 7 5 1 4 1 

Karate/Silencer 24 X 7 6 8 6 6 8 6 8 4 

Intrepid 4 7 7 

Hero 12 X 7 6 7 6 8 7 8 7 

Force 0 X 3 6 4 5 

Discipline/Fanfare/Brigade 12 X 7 6 8 7 6 8 7 8 7 

Cruiser 12 3 6 8 5 5 

Counter 48 X 6 6 0 6 8 6 

Cobalt 24 X 7 7 8 7 6 8 7 8 5 

Belt 12 8 8 8 

Baythroid XL 12 X 7 6 8 6 6 8 6 8 4 

Aztec/Defcon 48 X 6 6 4 8 

Axcess/Senator/Concur 12 6 8 5 5 

Asana XL/Adjourn 12 X 7 6 8 6 7 6 8 4 

Ambush 12 X 7 5 8 6 7 5 4 

Insecticide 




Chinch Bug 

Corn Earworm, 

Fall Armyworm 

Corn Rootworm 

Cutworm 

European 

Corn Borer 

Flea Beetle 

Grasshopper 

Seed Corn 

Maggot 

Southwestern 

Corn Borer 

Green and 

Southern Green 

Stink Bug 

Brown 

Stink Bug 

Wireworm 

Fire Ant 

Corn 

98



Tracer 4 7 6 7 0 0 0 

Sevin 12 7 7 5 7 5 6 5 

Prolex/Declare 24 X 7 6 6 6 8 8 7 

Poncho 12 7 7 

Nipsit Inside 12 7 7 

Mustang Max/Respect 12 X 7 6 6 6 8 8 7 

Lorsban/Chlorpyrifos/Nufos 24 X 5 7 5 7 7 8 6 5 

Lannate 48 X 5 8 7 8 7 6 5 

Karate Z/Silencer/Lambda-Cy 24 X 7 6 6 6 8 8 7 

Gaucho/Axcess/Senator 12 3 7 7 

Dimethoate 48 5 5 5 8 8 5 

Diamond 12 7 4 9 

Cruiser 12 3 7 7 

Belt 12 6 7 8 

Baythroid XL 12 X 7 6 6 6 8 8 7 

Asana XL/Adjourn 12 X 7 6 6 6 8 8 7 

Insecticide 




Chinch Bug 

Sorghum 

Corn Earworm 

Fall Armyworm 

Fire Ant 

Greenbug/Aphid 

Sorghum Midge 

Stink Bug 

Grain 

Sorghum 

99



Sevin 12 6 6 5 6 7 5 1 

Prolex/Proaxis/Delcare 24 X 7 8 8 7 6 8 9 5 8 

NipSit Inside 12 6 6 7 8 

Mustang Max 12 X 7 8 8 7 6 8 9 5 8 

Malathion 12 1 2 5 6 5 5 4 

Karate Z 24 X 7 8 8 7 6 8 9 6 5 8 

Dimilin 2L 12 X 0 7 0 

Dermacor X-100 4 X 1 7 1 8 8 4 

Cruiser 12 6 2 6 7 8 

Belay 12 0 0 0 7 7 7 6 

Insecticide 




Chinch Bug 

Fall Armyworm 

True Armyworm 

Short-horned 

Grasshopper 

Adult 

Eggs & 

Immatures 

Rice Water 

Weevil (adult) 

Rice Water 

Weevil (egg) 

Midge Larvae 

Rice Stalk Borer 

Aphids (Greenbug, 

Oat Bird- 

Cherry Aphid) 

Grape Colaspis 

Rice 

Rice Stink Bug 



Karate/Silencer/Lambda-Cy 24 X 8 8 7 7 

Tracer 4 7 0 2 

Sevin 12 6 0 7 

Proaxis/Declare 24 X 8 8 7 7 

Mustang Max/Respect 12 X 8 8 7 7 

Malathion/Fyfanon 12 3 6 6 8 

Lannate 48 X 7 7 3 8 

Baythroid XL 12 X 8 8 7 7 

Dimethoate 48 7 6 

Insecticide 


Interval (hours) Restricted Use (R) Armyworm Greenbug/Aphid Grasshopper Hessian Fly Cereal Leaf Beetle 

Small Grains 

100

Photo Credits 

Cotton 

4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 42, 47, 51, 52, 53, 54—Angus Catchot, 

Mississippi State University 

2, 3, 6, 12, 18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 30, 31, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 50, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60—Scott Stewart, e University of Tennessee 

49—Blake Layton, Mississippi State University 

1—Jack Reed, Mississippi State University 

20—Scott Akin, University of Arkansas 

37—Winfield Sterling, Texas A&M University 

48—Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky Entomology 

soybeans 

1, 8, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 23, 25, 26, 27, 34, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 57, 59, 61—Scott Stewart, e University of Tennessee 

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 38, 43, 47, 54, 58, 60—Angus Catchot, Mississippi State University 

7, 22, 30, 31, 35, 36—Blake Layton, Mississippi State University 

11—Russ Ottens, e University of Georgia 

37—Leroy Brooks, Texas A&M University 

4—Clemson University, USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series 

55—Jack Kelly Clark, University of California 

52, 56—Alton N. Sparks, Jr., University of Georgia 

Corn 

4, 6, 8, 10, 17, 18, 19, 29, 33, 34, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45—Angus Catchot, Mississippi State University 

12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 35, 37, 43, 47—Scott Stewart, e University of Tennessee 

1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 24, 31—Chris Daves, Mississippi State University 

16, 32—Blake Layton, Mississippi State University 

48, 49—Fangneng Huang, Louisiana State University 

30—Marlin Rice, Iowa State University 

25—Jeff Gore, Mississippi State University 

5—Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky Entomology 

Crop Name 101

Notes

COTTON, SOYBEAN, CORN, GRAIN SORGHUM, 

WHEAT, SWEETPOTATO, RICE, PASTURE, & PEANUT 

INSECT CONTROL GUIDE COMMITTEE 

Clint Allen 

Darrin Dodds 

Erick Larson 

Stephen Meyers 

Jenny Bibb 

Jeff Gore 

Blake Layton 

Fred Musser 

Don Cook 

Trent Irby 

Joe MacGown 

Revised by Dr. Angus Catchot, Extension Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology. 

Copyright 2016 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. is publication may be copied and distributed without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes 

provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. 

e information given here is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names are made with the understanding that no discrimination is 

intended against other products that may also be suitable. 

Produced by Agricultural Communications. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national 

origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Publication 2471 

Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 

30, 1914. GARy B. JACkSon, Director (1900-01-16)

Agronomic Crops

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