Suckers challenge producers and threaten productivity

Sucking pests continue to be one of the biggest threats to Brazilian agriculture, capable of causing losses of up to 30% in soybean productivity, according to Embrapa. These insects, known as "vampires of the field," feed on the sap of plants, causing weakening, transmission of viral diseases, and a drop in yield in crops. Among the main culprits are the brown stink bug, whitefly, green stink bug, aphids, and thrips, all of which have high reproductive capacity and are difficult to control chemically. According to Bruno Temporim, Product and Portfolio Manager of Grupo Conceito, the climatic conditions between October and December, marked by intense heat and irregular rainfall in regions such as Goiás, the Midwest, and the Southeast, favor the multiplication of these pests. The brown stink bug, in particular, has been standing out due to its resistance and impact on grain crops. "The period from October to December, precisely when the country experiences Halloween weather, ...