I have received several calls about caterpillars in soybean fields. Scout fields soybean fields using a sweep net or ground/drop cloth. If you don’t have either, you can order them online. To know when to spray, I have attached the current UGA Extension thresholds for insects that cause damage in soybeans.
Some growers use a defoliation threshold to determine if an insect spray is necessary. Attached is a one-page sheet with defoliation percentages.
If you have any questions, contact me at rjoyce@uga.edu or 478-279-2293.