Just When You Thought It Was Safe, Another Pest? DR. DOUGLAS B. JONES the ants can harvest honeydew from the . MT. VERNON, ILL. This frequently complicates their control since eing an entomologist, the they can easily move between plants with the internal struggle about a ant’s help. They are also very prolific and repro - new pest appearing in duce easily. Bthe country is sometimes dis - Trochanter are usually found feed - turbing. I am very interested ing on soybean roots. They usually have a in conquering all of the pests whitish appearance due to the fluffy waxy se - so that crops can be produced cretions that cover their bodies. Their presence for maximum profit and ease. was discovered when scientists were trying to However, if we entomologists determine the cause of potassium deficiency are too successful at this endeavor, our services symptoms that, after further testing, revealed may be seen as unneeded. When a new pest ap - no such deficiency. pears, however, it is then that our worth is re - Thus, if you have that exhibit the vealed. When the soybean aphid appeared in classic yellowing symptoms that are associated the Midwest just a few years ago, it put many of with low potassium, it would be wise to pull a us to work to determine what, why, where and couple of plants and carefully examine their how to combat the small, but prolific, pests. roots. A hand lens will be necessary to ade - Another of our duties is to be vigilant and look quately identify the insect. for the next new pest that might come our way. At this moment, it is not known what, if any, For soybeans, the next pest might be the consequences these new pests will have on soy - trochanter , Pseudococcus sorghiellus . . This insect appears to have been first reported Other mealybug species such as the pink hi - from soybeans in Kentucky during 2008. It has biscus mealybug, hirsutus , or since been found in Iowa and Ohio. It is proba - the passionvine mealybug, Planococcus minor , bly in many other locations, but because of its have had large negative impacts on crops such small size and peculiar habits, it could’ve easily as banana, , cocoa, , corn, grape, been overlooked. , potato and soybean in various parts of Mealybugs are a very odd type of insect. Fe - the world. males are fat, slow-moving creatures that stay Because of the long history of other mealybugs on the plant throughout their lives. Males are and crop damage and due to the trochanter winged as adults, don’t feed, and only serve to mealybug’s association with potassium defi - mate with the female. Males are not usually no - ciency-like symptoms, soybean growers should ticed because of their small size and short adult probably take notice. ∆ life. DR. DOUGLAS B. JONES: Extension Specialist, Mealybugs are often associated with ant Integrated Pest Management, University of Illi - species that protect and spread them so that nois