2024 Soybean Insect Losses in the United States

Estimated management costs and losses due to insects and other invertebrates in soybean during the 2024 growing season were collected and compiled from 19 states to provide a record of insect pressure and management practices for the year. These annual estimates provide a historical record of pest pressure and insect management and have been compiled in some states since 2004. Participating states represented 63% of soybean acreage grown in the United States, with near 100% participation in southern states. Overall, the stink bug complex was the costliest insect pest in soybean followed by corn earworm and soybean looper. Total insect management costs were 15. 52 per acre, with estimated crop losses to insects at 8. 88 per acre, making the 2024 total costs plus losses 24. 40 per acre. An average of 0. 66 foliar insecticide applications were made over all soybeans. State estimates varied widely, with insect management costs in three states averaging less than 10/ac, while averaging more than 35/ac in three states. Similarly, the estimated yield losses from insects ranged from less than 2. 50/ac in four states to more than 25/ac in four states. In general, the states with the highest management costs also had the highest insect losses, and low management costs were in states with low losses. Together these indicate that growers are generally responding to actual insect pressure.