Stalk borers rarely damage soybean seedlings. This diminutive insect can destroy both corn and soybean seeds. The adult flies are attracted to fields that contain live, plant material that is killed and either plowed or disked immediately prior to planting. The flies lay their eggs in the soil and the maggots feed on the germinating seeds and seedlings. If CRP cover is killed this spring, as opposed to last fall, the freshly decaying plant material can attract seedcorn maggot flies and result in stand loss to both corn and soybean.
Sod webworms Webworm injury is similar to that caused by cutworms.
Corn damage should be expected following grass. Plants are cut off at or just below the soil surface and holes are chewed in the leaves. An at-planting soil insecticide may reduce sod webworm damage, but the field should still be scouted at the spike stage of corn growth. No, I'm not making up this one. Last year, I had confirmed reports of soybean defoliation from five counties.