Insecticides Commonly Used on Soybeans
These notes are intended to help producers make preliminary decisions on chemicals to be used on their crops. Growers and applicators must read all pertinent sections of the label before making a final selection or any insecticide application. Most of the insecticide treatments listed in this publication are designed for use with conventional ground or aerial equipment. The more toxic products should not be applied using ground equipment unless the operator is wearing adequate protective clothing and is in a protective cab. Producers considering chemigation must check labels carefully to be sure chemigation is allowed, and review the Kansas Chemigation Safety Law and other regulations to determine chemigation requirements.
Do not use soil insecticides left over from corn or sorghum production on soybeans. Generally, soybeans are not attacked by subterranean pests, so very few products have been registered for soil application on soybeans. Severe plant injury and drastic reductions in crop stands may also occur where metribuzin (Sencor or Lexone) is applied for weed control if certain organophosphate insecticides have been applied. Use of carbofuran (Furadan 4F) is no longer permitted after January 2010.
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Soybean Insecticide Use Instructions |
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Insecticide |
Special Instructions |
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Acephate (Selected formulations of Acephate, Bracket and Orthene) |
Acephate is labeled for treating non-crop areas for grasshoppers. Signal word on label: CAUTION. Do not graze or feed vegetation cut from treated areas. REI is 24 hours. In addition, Acephate 90SP, WSB & WSP, Bracket 90 WSP, Orthene 75S, 90S and 97 have supplemental federal labels that must be in possession of the user at the time of application for controlling grasshoppers, thrips, potato leafhoppers, stinkbugs, bean leaf beetles, green cloverworms and soybean aphids in soybeans. Refer to the supplemental label for specific instructions. |
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Bacillus thuringiensis (Biobit, Deliver, Dipel, Lepinox and Xentari) |
These are biologically based products that act as stomach poisons and are very effective against some caterpillars, causing death in two to four days. Signal word on label: CAUTION. Chemigation is us ually allowed by label. Rates and application instructions of Bacillus thuringiensis products vary widely, so refer to labels for specific instructions. REI is 4 to 12 hours depending on formulation. No PHI. |
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Beta-cyfluthrin* (Baythroid XL) |
Warning. Extremely hazardous to fish and aquatic invertebrates – do not apply directly over water. Drift and runoff from treated areas may be hazardous to aquatic organisms. Beta-cyfluthrin is highly toxic to bees. Do not apply this product or allow it to drift to blooming crops or weeds on which bees are actively foraging. Minimum application is 2 gallons of water for aerial application and 10 gallons by ground. Chemigation and ultralow volume (ULV) applications are allowed by label. Signal word on label: WARNING. REI is 12 hours. PHI is 45 days, however green forage can be fed 15 days after last application. |
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Carbaryl (Sevin) |
Do not apply or allow to drift to blooming crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area. Extremely hazardous to aquatic invertebrates – do not apply directly over water. Most labels recommend the use of 25 to 40 gallons of water with ground equipment to ensure adequate coverage. Refer to specific product labels for information on chemigation. Signal word on label: CAUTION or WARNING, depending on formulation. REI is 12 hours. Do not apply within 14 days of grazing or harvest for forage, or within 21 days of harvest for seed. |
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Chlorpyrifos* (Numerous products: Lorsban 4E, Chlorpyrifos, Eraser, Govern, Nufos, Pilot, Warhawk, Whirlwind and Yuma) |
Highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment.. Do not apply more than 3 lb. a.i./acre per season. Signal word on label: WARNING. REI is 24 hours. PHI is 28 days. Do not allow livestock to graze in treated areas or feed treated soybean forage, hay or straw to meat or dairy animals. |
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Chlorpyrifos plus gamma-cyhalothrin* (Cobalt) |
Minimum of 2 gallons of spray volume by air and 10 gallons by ground. Do not apply more than 85 fl. oz. of Cobalt per season. Do not make a second application of Cobalt or another product containing chlorpyrifos within 14 days of first application. Do not make more than 3 applications per year of cobalt or other products containing chlorpyrifos. Do not make more than on application after pod set. Do not allow meat or dairy animals to graze in treated areas or otherwise feed treated soybean forage, hay and straw to meat or dairy animals. Signal words on label: DANGER–POISON. REI is 24 hr. PHI 30 Days. |
| Chlorpyrifos plus zeta-cypermethrin (Stallion) | REI is 24 hrs. PHI is28 days. |
| Cyfluthrin (Tombstone) | Maximum Tombstone allowed per 7-day interval: 2.8 fl. oz./acre. Maximum Tombstone allowed per crop season 11.2 fl. oz. /acre. Has WARNING on the label due to environmental toxicity to fish and bees. |
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Deltamethrin* (Delta Gold) |
Extremely hazardous to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Do not apply directly over water or to areas where surface water is present. Drift and runoff may be hazardous to aquatic organisms in areas near application site. This pesticide is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment. Do not apply this product or allow it to drift to blooming crops or weeds on which bees are actively foraging. Minimum gallonage is 2 gallons of water for aerial application and 5 gallons by ground, and should be increased under hot, dry environmental conditions. See label for chemigation directions. Signal words on label: DANGER–POISON. REI is 12 hours. Do not apply within 21 days of harvest. Do not allow livestock to graze treated forage, or feed treated hay to livestock. |
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Diflubenzuron (Dimilin 2L) |
This insect growth regulator is labeled for treating non-crop areas for grasshopper nymphs before they move into cropland and is labeled on soybeans for controlling green cloverworm and grasshoppers. It is toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Signal word on label: CAUTION. REI is 12 hours. PHI is 21 days. |
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Dimethoate (Dimethoate or Dimate) |
Highly toxic to bees. Do not apply directly to water. Runoff may be hazardous to aquatic organisms. Can be applied by ground or air. Refer to label for recommended gallonage. Chemigation allowed on some labels. Signal word(s) on label: WARNING or DANGER–POISON, depending on formulation. REI is 48 hours. Do not feed or graze within 5 days of last application. PHI is 21 days. |
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Esfenvalerate* (Asana XL 0.66) |
See label for chemigation instructions. Do not exceed 0.2 lb a.i./acre per season. Signal word on label: WARNING. REI is 12 hours. PHI is 21 days. Do not feed or graze treated plant parts. |
| Flubendiamide (Belt) | Use a minimum of 10 gallons of water per acre by ground and 2 gallons of water/acre by air. PHI is 14 days for grain and 3 days for forage. REI is 12 hous. Can be applied by ground, air, or chemigation. Do not apply more than 6.0 fl. oz/season. |
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Gamma-cyhalothrin* (Proaxis) |
Apply in a minimum of 2 gallons of water per acre by air. Do not apply more than 0.03 pound active ingredient (0.48 pint) per acre per season. Do not apply this product or allow it to drift to blooming crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area. Do not graze or harvest treated soybean forage, straw, or hay for livestock feed. Signal word on label: CAUTION. REI is 24 hours and PHI is 30 days. |
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Imidacloprid (Attendant, Dyna-Shield Imidacloprid and Senator) |
Imidacloprid systemic seed treatment that has efficacy against seed corn maggots, early season soybean aphids and early season bean leaf beetles. Signal word on label: CAUTION. |
| Imiadacloprid (Alias 4F, Sherpa) | A formulation of imidacloprid that allows foliar application to soybeans through a 24c supplemental label. Supplemental Label must be in the possession of the user at the time of pesticide application. Signal word on label: CAUTION. REI is 12 hours. PHI is 7 days. |
| Imidacloprid plus cyfluthrin* (Leverage) | May be applied through properly calibrated ground, aerial or chemigation application equipment. Maximum amount allowed per crop season is 9 fl. oz./acre. Minimal interval between applications is 7 days. Signal word on label: WARNING. REI 12 hours. PHI 45 days. |
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Indoxacarb (Seward 1.5 SC) |
Toxic to mammals, birds, fish and aquatic invertebrates. Highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment. Labeled for ground and aerial application, but not chemigation. Steward applications should target eggs and small instar larvae. Signal word on label: CAUTION. REI is 12 hours. PHI is 21 days. |
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Lambda-cyhalothrin* (Numerous products: Warrior II with Zeon Technology, Silencer, Taiga T, and Lambda T) |
Use a minimum of 2 gallons of water per acre by air. See label for chemigation instructions. Do not graze livestock in treated areas or harvest for fodder, silage or hay. Do not apply more than (0.48 pt.) 0.06 lb. a.i./acre per season. Signal word on label: WARNING. REI is 24 hours. PHI is 45 days. |
| Lambda-cyhalothrin plus thiamethoxam * (Endigo ZC) | Combination of a pyrethroid and a neonicotinoid insecticide. Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic organisms. Do not use less than 10 GPA for ground applications or 3 GPA for aerial applications. Can be chemigated; refer to label for more information. Signal word on label: WARNING. REI is 24 hours. PHI is 30 days. Do not exceed 9 fl. oz./acre per season. Allow 7 days between applications. Do not graze or harvest treated forage for forage straw or hay for livestock feed. Do not apply this product with in 45 of planting if soybean seeds were treated with a neonicotinoid product. |
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Methomyl *(Lannate) |
Toxic to fish and wildlife. Drift and runoff from treated areas may be hazardous to aquatic organisms. Highly toxic to bees. Do not apply or allow to drift to blooming crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area. Do not apply through any type of irrigation system. Do not apply more than 1.35 lb. a.i./acre per crop. Signal words on label: DANGER–POISON. REI is 48 hours. PHI is 14 days. If under 0.225 lb. a.i./acre, forage can be used in 3 days and hay in 7 days. If more than 0.225 lb. a.i./acre, forage can be used in 10 days and hay in 12 days. |
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Methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F) |
Use on soybeans is based on supplemental labeling that must be in possession of the user at time of use. Product must be ingested by larvae to be effective. Do not apply by ground within 25 feet, or by air within 150 feet of lakes, reservoirs, rivers, permanent streams, marshes, natural ponds or commercial fish farm ponds. Do not apply this product through any type of irrigation system. Signal word on label: CAUTION. REI is 4 hours. Do not apply within 7 days of harvest of hay and forage or within 14 days of harvest of seed. |
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Methyl Parathion* (Cheminova Methyl 4EC) |
Should be used only by those willing to assume special safety precautions on the label. Do not apply through irrigation systems. Signal words on label: DANGER–POISON. REI is 5 days in areas where average rainfall is less than 25 inches per year and 4 days where rainfall is 25 inches or greater. PHI is 20 days. |
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Microencapsulated Methyl Parathion* (Penncap-M) |
Highly toxic to bees, do not apply if crop or weeds in treatment area are in bloom. Do not apply more than twice per season. Refer to label for chemigation instructions. Signal word on label: WARNING. REI is 5 days in areas where average rainfall is less than 25 inches per year and 4 days where rainfall is 25 inches or greater. PHI is 20 days for grazing or grain. |
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Permethrin *(Arctic, Ambush and Pounce) |
Use a minimum of 10 gallons of finished spray per acre by ground application or a minimum of 2 gallons if applied by air. Can be chemigated. Refer to label for more information. Do not exceed 0.4 lb. a.i./acre per season. Signal word on label: CAUTION or WARNING, depending on formulation. REI is 12 hours. Do not graze treated areas or harvest for forage or hay. PHI is 60 days. |
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Spinosad (Tracer) |
This product is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment on blooming crops or other vegetation. Signal word on label: CAUTION. REI of 4 hours. Chemigation instructions on label. Do not feed treated forage or hay to meat or dairy animals. PHI is 28 days. Do not apply more than 6 fl. oz of Tracer (0.188 lb spinosad) per acre per year. |
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Thiamethoxam (Cruiser and CruiserMaxx) |
A systemic neonicotinoid insecticide used as a seed treatment. Labeled for soybean insect pests, such as the bean leaf beetle, seedcorn maggot, and wireworm. Signal word on label: CAUTION. |
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Thiodicarb* (Larvin EC) |
See label for chemigation instructions. Apply in a minimum of 2 gallons of finished spray by air or 5 gallons by ground. Do not feed forage, hay, or straw to livestock. Signal word on label: WARNING. REI is 12 hours. PHI is 28 days. |
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Zeta-cypermethrin* (Mustang MAX EC) |
Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Apply a minimum of 2 gallons of finished spray per acre by aerial equipment or 10 gallons per acre by ground equipment. Can be chemigated. Refer to label for more information. Signal word on label: CAUTION. REI is 12 hours. PHI is 21 days. Do not graze or harvest treated soybean forage, straw, or hay for livestock feed. Do not apply more than 0.15 lb. a.i./ acre per season. Do not make applications less than 7 days apart. |
| Zeta-cypermethrin plus Bifenthrin* (Hero) | Combination of two pyrethroid insecticides. Signal word on label CAUTION. Can be chemigated; refer to label for more information. Twelve hour REI. PHI is 21 days for grain. Do not graze or harvest soybean forage, straw or hay for livestock feed. |
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* Restricted Use Pesticide |
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Using Insecticides Safely
Injury or death can result from swallowing, inhaling or prolonged skin contact with insecticides. The risk of injury from ingestion is greatest among pets, livestock and young children. Skin absorption and sometimes inhalation usually pose the greatest risk to users. Handle all pesticides with care and use them only when needed. Avoid spilling concentrates on the skin or clothing.
If a spill occurs, remove contaminated clothing immediately, and wash with soap and water. If in the eyes, flush with water for 15 minutes and seek prompt medical attention. If exposed and in need of medical treatment, take the pesticide label with you. For poison control information call Mid-America Poison Control Center: Emergency Phone Number (800)-222-1222.
Wear protective equipment (respirators, clothing, etc.) as specified on the label. Bathe and change clothing frequently. Launder contaminated clothing separately.
Protect fish, wildlife and other nontarget organisms. Do not dispose of unused pesticides where the runoff may contaminate streams, lakes, or drinking water supplies, nor apply in a manner that could pollute such sites.
Consider the presence of honeybees before applying insecticides. Application to blooming-stage legumes can usually be avoided. Avoid drift to beehives or adjacent blooming crops. Notify the bee owner before applications are made in the general vicinity. Applying treatment late in the day when bees are not foraging may help to reduce the risk.
Read the label carefully. It is a legal document. It tells what, where, how and when the product can be used.
This publication was prepared to help producers manage insect populations with the best available methods proven practical under Kansas conditions. Pesticide label directions and restrictions are subject to change, and some may have changed since this publication was written. Kansas State University entomologists assume no responsibility for product performance, personal injury, property damage, or other types of loss resulting from the handling or use of the pesticides listed. Remember, it is illegal to use a pesticide in a manner that is inconsistent with the label. The user bears responsibility for correct use. Always read and follow label directions carefully.