Japanese beetles are a more obvious visitor to soybean fields mid to late summer. Adult beetles feed on soybean leaves causing a skeletonized and brown appearance. While this damage may be very conspicuous, damage is rarely economical. Treatment for pest damage below the percentages listed are not recommended. Two Spotted Spider Mites occasionally cause problems during hot dry years.
Mites typically live in colonies producing a thin web on lower leaf surfaces.
Mite injury causes a speckled appearance to leaves, which become yellow, curl, then brown, and plants die. Rain will reduce risk of mite problems. Disease survey information is limited, but suggests several diseases may pose potential risk to soybeans. Soybean cyst nematode, a major pest of soybeans in many other states and Ontario, Canada has NOT been detected in New York. Crop rotation, selection of disease resistant varieties of appropriate maturity groups, and use of sound agronomic practices help avoid of minimize soybean disease problems.