Evaluation scales, the economic injury level (EIL), and the economic threshold (ET) for soybean pests

Authors: Hesler, Louis

Submitted to: World Wide Web
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/13/2023
Publication Date: 9/27/2023
Citation: Hesler, L.S. 2023. Evaluation scales, the economic injury level (EIL), and the economic threshold (ET) for soybean pests. Soybean Innovation Lab webinar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rvK28iqM2U.

Interpretive Summary: Insect evaluation scales provide the basic guidance on the impact of a pest. Thresholds are a critical part of any integrated pest management (IPM) program. When scouting, some level of arthropods and their damage will always be observed. However, most situations will not result in yield loss because the insect numbers present are too low to produce injury beyond the plant’s compensatory ability. Thresholds are levels of pest injury or arthropod pest numbers that warrant management to prevent yield loss beyond the cost of a remedial action. The presentation will cover the following topics: a) Basic assessment of damage/injury levels- scale etc., b) Threshold calculator for key soybean insects, and c) Decision making on economic thresholds for management.

Technical Abstract: Insect evaluation scales provide the basic guidance on the impact of the pest. Thresholds are a critical part of any integrated pest management (IPM) program. When scouting, some level of insects and their damage will always be observed. However, most situations will not result in yield loss since the insect numbers present are too low to produce injury beyond the plant’s compensation ability. Thresholds are levels of pest injury or insect numbers (that are assumed to cause injury) that will result in yield loss beyond the cost of a remedial action. The following will be covered under this section: • Basic assessment of damage/injury levels- scale, etc. • Threshold calculator for key soybean insects • Decision making on economic thresholds for management