Errors in the identification of caterpillars can compromise the soybean crop; crops require care from the beginning of the harvest.

Soybean planting advances in Mato Grosso and the rural producer needs to be alert to the possible occurrence of pests in the crops. “These species are in the environment, in the crop. We had a recent cotton crop, with high pressure from caterpillars, so if in that area a pest occurrence was recorded, the producer already knows the challenge they have to face now with the soybean,” warns researcher Mariana Ortega, an entomology specialist from the Foundation for Support of Agricultural Research of MT (Fundação MT). The researcher also reports that, during the development of the plants, field monitoring technicians may have difficulties in correctly identifying caterpillars of the genus Helicoverpa spp., which can cause significant losses, especially when confused with other pests such as Spodoptera frugiperda. The caterpillars Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa zea are morphologically identical, at all stages of development, and can only be accurately differentiated with ...