Ecological interactions, host plant defenses, and control strategies in managing soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Authors: DEBNATH, RAHUL - University Of Arkansas; George, Justin; GAUTAM, MANISH - University Of Arkansas; SHAFI, INSHA - University Of Arkansas; KARIYAT, RUPESH - University Of Arkansas; Reddy, Gadi V.P.

Submitted to: Frontiers in Insect Science
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/22/2024
Publication Date: 12/12/2024
Citation: Debnath, R., George, J., Gautam, M., Shafi, I., Kariyat, R., Reddy, G.V. 2024. Ecological interactions, host plant defenses, and control strategies in managing soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Frontiers in Insect Science. 4:1-16. https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2024.1480940.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2024.1480940

Interpretive Summary: Soybean loopers cause extensive damage to soybeans in the mid-south region of the United States. They are responsible for significant economic losses to cotton, sunflower, tomato, and tobacco crops in the USA, Brazil, and Argentina. Soybean production in the southern region accounted for 15.5% of the total production in the USA, and yield losses due to invertebrate pests were 5.8%, or 40.8 million bushels, in 2022. Numerous research studies have been reported on pest status, distribution, semiochemical-based attractant blends, pesticides and resistance mechanisms, host-plant resistance mechanisms, and molecular tools for controlling this pest in soybeans and other crops. To date, there is no comprehensive review that summarizes and discusses the research on soybean loopers and soybeans. The current management strategies for soybean loopers remain heavily reliant on chemical insecticides and transgenic crops. In contrast, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are needed to control the pest in an effective and environmentally friendly way. This review article examines and synthesizes the literature about soybean looper as a significant pest of soybeans and other important crops, highlighting recent progress in control strategies and identifying information gaps, thereby suggesting avenues for further research on this pest.

Technical Abstract: Soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (Walker 1858) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is one of the most damaging insect pests of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., in the mid-south region of the United States, is responsible for significant economic losses to cotton, sunflower, tomato, and tobacco crops in the USA, Brazil, and Argentina. Soybean production in the southern region accounted for 15.5% of the total production in the USA, and yield losses due to invertebrate pests were 5.8%, or 40.8 million bushels, in 2022. As insecticide resistance to soybean looper continues to rise, the lack of alternate control strategies is becoming a severe problem. Numerous research studies have been reported on pest status, distribution, semiochemical-based attractant blends, pesticides and resistance mechanisms, host-plant resistance mechanisms, and molecular tools for controlling this pest in soybeans and other crops. To date, there is no comprehensive review that summarizes and discusses the research on C. includens and soybeans. The current management strategies for soybean loopers remain heavily reliant on chemical insecticides and transgenic crops. In contrast, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are needed to control the pest in an effective and environmentally friendly way. This review examines and synthesizes the literature about soybean looper as a significant pest of soybeans and other important crops, highlighting recent progress in ecological interactions, host plant defenses, and control strategies and identifying information gaps, thereby suggesting avenues for further research on this pest.