Establishing Defoliation Thresholds in Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea (L.)) in Mississippi

Foliage feeding insects like fall armyworm (FAW) [Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)], granulate cutworm (GCW) [Feltia subterranean (F.)], velvetbean caterpillar (VBC) [Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner)] and corn earworm (CEW) [Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)] in peanut (Arachis hypogaea (L.)) and their effects on canopy defoliation and the resultant yield loss is outdated and essentially non-existent in Mississippi. With the expansion of peanuts throughout the state since 2012, growers struggle to manage foliageeeding pests in peanut. The lack of current information regarding insect pressure and economic injury levels is troublesome; especially with newer, high yielding, disease resistant cultivars. Research was required to understand how peanuts respond to complete canopy removal at different times during the growing season. Consequently, we evaluated the severity of canopy defoliation causing significant levels of yield loss during key physiological growth periods. This information will assist growers and extension personnel streamline management decisions for canopy defoliation in peanut throughout Mississippi