The light green larvae that were so abundant finished their second generation cycle for the year. Many were destroyed by a fungal pathogen that turned their bodies a fuzzy green color after death. Then, after the spores blew or washed away to infect other larvae, a hard white remnant of their bodies was all that remained. A number of larvae survived the predator, parasitoid, and fungal onslaught and were able to pupate in the leaf duff, generally near the base of soybean plants. These lucky ones gave rise to charcoal and brown patterned, delta-winged moths that were so numerous around lights several days later. Images of these life stages can be viewed at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/entomology/extension/KIN/KIN_2005/kin-23/05ksnew23.htm#Green_Cloverworm_in_Soybeans

Subsequent year green cloverworm populations will have very little to no relation to previous year populations. It will be necessary to scout fields next year to determine if a local problem develops.

“For more information on this or other topics related to soybean production, contact your state extension specialist or your local extension educator/agent.”

The following is the link to the soybean extension specialists: state extension soybean specialist