Invasive-agricultural-pest
Guides
Dectes texanus
Dectes stem borer, Texas prick, soybean stem borer
Dectes texanus is a native North American longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) that has emerged as a significant agricultural pest of soybeans and sunflowers in the Midwestern and Great Plains regions of the United States. Adults are characterized by antennae longer than their bodies and a pale gray coloration. Larvae tunnel inside plant stems from July through October, then girdle the stem base internally before overwintering, causing pre-harvest lodging and yield losses. The species has expanded its range and pest status dramatically since the 1980s, correlating with increased soybean acreage and adoption of no-till farming practices. Originally associated with wild hosts including ragweed and cocklebur, it colonized cultivated soybeans approximately 50 years ago.