Bean leaf Beetle activity is alive and well in soybean fields. There are two generations of this beetle during the growing season. Beetles can be yellow, tan or red in color with distinct black triangular mark between the wing covers, behind the head (black spots may or may not be present on the wing covers). Damage occurs as a result of defoliation and pod feeding. Classic feeding damage on the leaves appears as a shot hole appearance. Economic threshold during the vegetative stage is 40% defoliation. Soybeans at this time are at the V2 growth stage. Continue to monitor fields at this point. Defoliation reports are from 1% to 25%.
