Some Stem Boring Insects Associated with Soybeans in Florida

Abstract

The writers have recently discussed insects attacking soybeans in southern Florida with emphasis on varietal susceptibility (1962). More recent observations on some insects that bore within the stems are herein reported. The lesser cornstalk borer has been reported as a pest of soybeans in other areas, but it has not previously been reported on this legume in the Everglades. This is possibly because the insect is more sporadic in the Everglades than in some other areas, and also because the crop has not been grown in the area commercially for bean yield. Additional stem borers that are probably new to the crop are discussed at greater length since they obviously have an economic potential on soybeans. The insects occur widely in parts of Florida, where soybeans have become a crop of considerable importance in recent years, even though experiments in the Everglades have been generally disappointing in regard to yield of beans (Genung and Green 1962, and Green et al. 1962). The four insect species associated with stems of soybeans in experimental plantings in the Everglades are (1) Hippopsis lemniscata (Fab.) (Fig. 2, 3) Coleoptera, Cerambycidae; (2) Selenis monotropa (Gaert.) (Fig. 4, 5) Lepidoptera, Phalaenidae; (3) Languria sp. (Fig. 1), Coleoptera, Languridae2; (4) Elasmopcalpus lignosell is (Zeller) Lepidoptera, Pyralidae.