Redbanded Stink Bugs and R3 Fungicide Applications in Soybean

Getting more calls everyday about low numbers of Redbanded Stink Bugs (RBSB) in R2/R3 soybeans. Many are asking about what to mix with a fungicide to take them out. Before jumping out too quickly, consider this, I would suspect very little if any damage to soybeans even by RBSB to beans that are not setting pods. I do realize that indeterminate beans may have pods at the bottom that are susceptible to RBSB, however, the numbers being reported are very low and not economic at this time. Also, these bugs are just now moving into these fields from wild host plants. We know for a fact that insecticides generally only provide 5-7 days before reinfestation of RBSB and if applications are made too soon, it will not reduce numbers that are migrating into the field even a few days later. Additionally, it will not prevent higher populations later. The biggest issue I have with this is that there is very little insect pressure in these early planted fields that would justify an insecticide and we have the potential to flare bollworms, requiring further sprays. We have gotten several reports of bollworms showing up at low numbers already. An acephate or pyrethroid application can and often will create more problems down the road if not needed.