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Home > Pest Survey & Management > Pest Information > Soybean Pod Borer

SOYBEAN POD BORER (aka LEGUME POD BORER, BEAN POD BORER), Maruca vitrata (Maruca testulalis)

The soybean pod borer is a devastating insect pest of Soybean Pod Borer adultmany legume crops in tropical and semitropical regions, such as Africa, southeastern Asia, Australia, Mexico and parts of South America.  It has yet to become established in the continental United States, but it has been detected in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.  It is currently an established pest in Hawaii.

The soybean pod borer is known to attack legume hosts, especially cowpeas, common beans and soybeans.  Adults are less than an inch wide at the wing tips and are distinguished by the translucent spot on the brown forewings.  They are nocturnal and seldom seen in the field.   Larvae are pale-colored and feed on the floral parts and pods of legume plants, rendering them unmarketable.  

Look for deformed, prematurely dropped or damaged pods.  Holes in pods by exiting larvae can be noticed.

For more information visit these sites:

Fact sheet (AVRDC - International Cooperators)

If you suspect soybean pod borer damage or presence in your soybean crops, please notify the Maine Department of Agriculture (207) 287-3891.