EVALUATION OF SELECTED INSECTICIDES FOR CONTROL OF VELVETBEAN CATERPILLAR AND SOYBEAN LOOPER ON SOYBEANS, 2002

The test was conducted at the Southeastern Research and Education Center, Midville, GA. Soybeans were planted on 24 May on beds spaced 38 inch apart using a four row Max Emerge John Deere planter. The experimental design was RCB with four replications. The plot size was 32 x by 4 rows. Treatments were applied on 7 Aug when eight random plant shakes were averaged 5 larvae/ft of row and defoliation was approximately 8-10%. Treatments were applied with a CO2 spraying system mounted on a Powell high cycle sprayer. The sprayer traveled at a speed of 3 mph. Treatments were applied at a vol rate of 10 gpa, at 50 psi, with three nozzles/row. The nozzles were TX-3 hollow cone. Efficacy surveys were done on 14 Aug and 21 Aug. Plant shakes measuring 12 ft of row were done in the middle two rows of each plot. Larvae were counted and identified based on the following criteria. The VBC had four abdominal pro legs, smooth skin, and were a greenish-brown color. The SBL had two abdominal pro legs, body that tapered down toward the head, light green in color, and distinct looping movement. Percentage of plant defoliation rate was also assessed in each plot. Data analysis was done using ANOVA for RCB with means separation using Tukey's Studentized Range.