Heligen is effective, economical and environmentally friendly option for control
Fort Worth, TX (July 19, 2021) – Insect management decisions may be more complicated than usual for Mid-South soybean growers in the coming weeks following heavy rains that forced late plantings this season. And as the crop approaches flowering, corn earworm, or bollworm, is a pest that growers need to keep an eye on.
“With the excessive rains and consequent late plantings, a large percentage of the Mid-South soybean acreage will be flowering and highly attractive right when yield-damaging corn earworm populations might be moving from the corn acres,” said Paula Marҫon, chief technology officer at AgBiTech. “Corn earworm moth traps have been low thus far, but this could rapidly change, therefore, growers should be watchful of corn earworm pest pressure.”
Corn earworm is one of the most damaging pests to soybeans in the Mid-South. According to the Mississippi Entomological Association, corn earworm was responsible for more than $102 million in cost plus soybean bushels lost in 2019 for the Mid-South region alone.
As resistance to pyrethroids is increasing, corn earworm is becoming more difficult to control. Heligen, an insecticide currently available from AgBiTech, brings a new mode of action, making it very effective on corn earworm that has become resistant to chemical insecticides. As a Group 31 baculovirus-based insecticide, Heligen selectively infects corn earworm with a fatal viral disease that spreads quickly throughout the canopy for long-lasting control.
“With all the extremely late plantings this year due to the flood in the Delta Region, it will make insect management decisions difficult in August because we will weigh every decision against yield potential of these late-planted beans,” said Angus Catchot, Extension entomologist at Mississippi State University. “Heligen may play a very important role in bollworm management for the August flight.”
When proactively applied to target corn earworm at first appearance, Heligen is a low-cost, high-return investment that helps to reduce damage and protect yield. The bioinsecticide fits well into integrated pest management programs as a tank mix or standalone application. It leaves no residue after application and poses no negative environmental or ecological impact and is also safe on beneficial insects.
“Heligen is a lower cost yet highly effective corn earworm insecticide, a logical choice for these later planted, lower yielding acres that may not justify a high-dollar insecticide treatment," said Marҫon.
To learn more about AgBiTech and Heligen, visit, https://www.agbitech.us/heligen.
Since 2002, AgBiTech has been delivering commercially proven products that help make farming more profitable and sustainable. AgBiTech combines field experience with innovative science and proprietary technology, working with farmers, advisors and researchers to develop products that deliver highly effective biological insect management solutions. AgBiTech manufactures all of its products in-house, with a tireless focus on quality and efficiency, allowing it to produce consistent and cost-effective biological products that have established market leading positions. For further information, visit www.agbitech.com.