Stories
Girdle Beetle Attacks Soybean Crops: Watch for Circular Rings and Protect Your Yield
- •Infestation of the girdle beetle, also known as the ring cutter, is damaging soybean fields by creating circular rings on plant stems.
- •The pest cuts the outer layer of stems, obstructing the flow of water and nutrients and causing upper plant parts to wither.
- •Agricultural scientist Dr. Rajiv Singh advises farmers to closely inspect their fields and identify symptoms early to prevent massive crop loss.
- •Farmers should immediately uproot and destroy any affected plants to stop the pest from spreading across the field.
- •Applying a mixture of Thiamethoxam and Lambda-Cyhalothrin via uniform spraying is recommended for effective control of the girdle beetle.
Key Questions Answered
The girdle beetle creates a distinct circular ring or cut on the stem or branch of the soybean plant, which obstructs water and nutrient flow. Consequently, the bark appears cut at the affected spot and the upper part of the plant gradually withers, turns yellow, and dries up.
Farmers can control girdle beetle by regularly inspecting their fields and immediately uprooted and destroying any affected plants to stop the pest from spreading. For chemical control, agricultural experts recommend using Thiamethoxam plus Lambda-Cyhalothrin, mixed in 500 liters of water per hectare and sprayed uniformly across the field.
Also known as the ring cutter, the adult female girdle beetle lays eggs directly on the plant stem and cuts the outer layer in a circular manner. This ring creation blocks water and nutrient delivery, causing the upper branches to dry up, which can significantly reduce overall crop yield if not managed in time.
