Soybean-pest
Guides
Spodoptera eridania
Southern Armyworm Moth, Southern Armyworm
Spodoptera eridania is a highly polyphagous noctuid moth whose larvae are significant agricultural pests in tropical and subtropical regions of the Western Hemisphere. The species has emerged as one of the most important armyworm pests of soybean in Brazil and Argentina, particularly in cotton-growing regions, while remaining a sporadic pest in the southern United States. Larvae feed gregariously when young, skeletonizing leaves, and become solitary as they mature, often boring into fruit. The species has been introduced to West Africa (Nigeria and Cameroon).
Spodoptera ornithogalli
Yellow-striped Armyworm, Cotton Cutworm
Spodoptera ornithogalli is a noctuid moth widely distributed across the Americas, ranging from southern Canada through the United States, Mexico, Central America, and throughout much of South America. The species is primarily known as a polyphagous agricultural pest whose larvae feed on numerous crop plants. While occasionally damaging to soybean in the southeastern United States, it is generally considered a minor pest compared to other Spodoptera species. The larva is distinctive among armyworms for its relatively uniform black velvety appearance with contrasting bright yellow longitudinal stripes.
Sternechus
true weevils
Sternechus is a genus of true weevils (family Curculionidae) containing more than 50 described species. The genus is best known for Sternechus subsignatus, a significant agricultural pest of soybean in South America known locally as 'picudo grande' (big weevil). This species was first detected in southern Brazil in the 1970s and has since spread to northern Brazil and Argentina, where it causes economic damage through stem boring that can result in stand loss. Some species in the genus have been treated as distinct species in certain regions; for example, S. subsignatus in northern Argentina is sometimes considered S. pinguis. The genus is part of the extraordinarily diverse Curculionidae, which with approximately 60,000 species represents one of the largest families in the animal kingdom.
Thyanta
redshouldered stink bugs, red-shouldered stink bugs
Thyanta is a genus of stink bugs in the family Pentatomidae containing approximately 19 described species. Species in this genus are recognized by a distinctive reddish band across the pronotum (the 'shoulder' region behind the head), giving them the common name 'redshouldered stink bugs.' Several Thyanta species are significant agricultural pests, particularly of soybean, corn, and various legume crops. The genus is native to the Americas, with species distributed from North America through South America.
Thyanta custator
Red-shouldered Stink Bug, Redshouldered Stink Bug
Thyanta custator, the red-shouldered stink bug, is a phytophagous stink bug species in the family Pentatomidae. It is recognized by a reddish band across the pronotum (the "shoulders"), which distinguishes it from similar species. The species is a documented pest of soybeans and various fruits and vegetables in North America, causing damage by piercing-sucking feeding on developing seeds, pods, and fruits. Two subspecies are recognized: T. c. accerra and T. c. spinosa. It has been recorded from Florida to Texas and throughout the eastern and central United States.
Thyanta custator accerra
Redshouldered stink bug, Red-shouldered stink bug
Thyanta custator accerra is a subspecies of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae, commonly known as the redshouldered stink bug. It is an agricultural pest of increasing concern in soybean and corn production across the Midwestern United States. Adults are recognized by a distinctive reddish band across the thorax-abdomen junction. The species feeds on developing fruits and seeds using piercing-sucking mouthparts, causing yield loss and quality reduction in affected crops.
Thyanta custator custator
Redshouldered stink bug
Thyanta custator custator is a subspecies of redshouldered stink bug in the family Pentatomidae. It is a plant-feeding pest that attacks developing fruits, vegetables, and seeds, causing blemishes, depressions, and quality degradation. The species is distinguished by a reddish band across the pronotum (shoulders) and is closely related to other Thyanta subspecies that differ in coloration and geographic distribution. It has been documented in Florida and is part of the broader redshouldered stink bug complex that affects agricultural crops in the eastern and midwestern United States.
Thyanta perditor
neotropical red-shouldered stink bug, red-shouldered stink bug
Thyanta perditor is a phytophagous stink bug native to the Neotropics, now recognized as an agricultural pest in soybean and other crops. Adults are distinguished by a reddish band across the pronotum and lack the long ventral spine found in the similar redbanded stink bug. Laboratory studies demonstrate nymphs require seeds or seed heads for development, as leaves are unsuitable. The species serves as host to multiple tachinid fly parasitoids.