Leafrollers in Soybean
Two species of leafrollers, also known as skippers, may be found in soybean fields. Bean leafrollers (Urbanus proteus), also known as longtailed skippers, occur in the southern U.S., especially in the Gulf and South Atlantic states. This insect occasionally migrates into the Midwest and Northeast U.S. Silverspotted skippers (Epargyreus clarus) are common across the U.S., except for areas west of the Rocky Mountains.
Crop Injury
The larvae of both leafroller species are considered occasional pests in soybeans. Young larvae cut a section from the edge of the leaf, fold it over, and create a protective shelter. Older larvae stitch several leaves together using webbing. Feeding usually results in minor localized damage.
Soybean leafroller.
Rebekah Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
Pest Descriptions
Bean leafrollers (longtailed skippers): Full grown larvae are nearly 2 inches long. They are green with numerous black speckles. A dark stripe along the top and a yellow stripe on each side run the length of the body. At the very end of the abdomen, the yellow stripes transition to orange. Young larvae have a large, dark-colored head with two distinct red “eye spots,” although these may be less visible in older larvae. The adult is known as a longtailed skipper because of the prominent long “tails” found on the hindwings. The forewings are brown with several irregular, square-shaped white spots. The inner margins of the hindwings display an iridescent green-blue color, which extends to the body of the skipper.
Silverspotted skippers: Full grown larvae are nearly 2 inches long. They are yellow with distinct dark vertical stripes covering the entire body and have four large pairs of orange prolegs. Young larvae have a distinct, large black head with two orange “eye spots.” The head may become brown or orange as the larvae mature. The adult has brown forewings with translucent orange spots visible on both sides. The underside of the hindwing has a distinct silver-white patch visible only on one side.
Bean leafroller.
Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
Silverspotted skipper larva.
Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org.
Scouting and Management
There are no established sampling or management protocols for bean leafrollers and silverspotted skippers in soybean. Larvae are often attracted to vegetable crops and may be occasional alfalfa pests that move into soybean fields after nearby alfalfa is cut. The standard soybean defoliation treatment thresholds are 30% in vegetative stages and 20% in reproductive stages. Use the Crop Protection Network’s Insect Defoliation Tool to accurately assess defoliation. Please contact your local or state extension specialist for information on the most current management options.
Developed and reviewed by Carol Pilcher, Iowa State University and Robert Wright, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with support from the United Soybean Board.
Soybean leafroller. Rebekah Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
Bean leafroller. Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
Silverspotted skipper larva Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org.
Longtailed skipper. Blue arrow indicates long tails and orange arrow indicates white spots. James R. Holland, Bugwood.org
Longtailed skipper. Blue arrow indicates green-blue iridescent body. Jerry A Payne, USDA ARS, Bugwood.org.
Silverspotted skipper larva. David Cappaert, Quamash EcoResearch, Bugwood.org.
Silverspotted skipper larva with orange prolegs. John Ghent, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org.
Silverspotted skipper. Rebekah Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.
Silverspotted skipper. David Cappaert, Quamash EcoResearch, Bugwood.org.
Gallery images courtesy of Rebekah Wallace, University of. Georgia, Bugwood.org; Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org; Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org; James R. Holland, Bugwood.org; Jerry A. Payne, USDA ARS, Bugwood.org; David Cappaert, Quamash EcoResearch, Bugwood.org; and John Ghent, USDA ARS, Bugwood.org.
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