Paul McLeod
Department of Entomology
University of Arkansas

Grain sorghum production in Arkansas has been erratic until recent years both in yield per acre and in number of acres planted. The low level of profitability has often caused the crop to be viewed as a “last resort” planting. Many potential pests of grain sorghum have often been ignored. Among these pests, insects often attack and may severely impact yield of grain sorghum in Arkansas. However, the low potential for profit has often prevented the producer from actively managing insect pests. As yields have increased in recent years, however, grain sorghum is beginning to be viewed as a crop with greater potential for profit and interest in management of all pests is increasing. Much of the insect management information for Arkansas grain sorghum production is based on data from other states. However, with the formation of the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board in 1998, funding became available for research on grain sorghum insects and substantial progress has been made. Initial surveys have now been completed on insects and their impact on grain sorghum throughout the state. Major insect pests have been identified and their distribution within the state has been established. Much has been learned on the biology of major insect pests and this information has enabled the improvement of insect management on grain sorghum.
Although much of the research o`n sorghum insects has only recently been completed and numerous additional studies are needed, substantial knowledge has been gained. The next step in the process was to provide the grain sorghum producers of Arkansas with this information in a usable production manual. The objective of this manual is to provide the producer with the most current information on identification, biology and management of insect pests of grain sorghum in Arkansas. Emphasis has been placed on the major insect pests and their management. Additional insects, now considered to be minor pests, may pose greater threats in future years. Also, new species may migrate into the state. Thus, continual research is needed to identify these changes and develop management strategies. As these findings become available, updates to the production manual will be made. Additional information can be found on websites maintained by the University of Arkansas Department of Entomology
( http://comp.uark.edu/~pjmcleod/ ) and the Cooperative Extension Service
( http://www.aragriculture.org/pestmanagement/insects/grain sorghum).
From a producer’s perspective the major insect pests of Arkansas grain sorghum can be divided into three groups, i.e., those attacking seed and seedlings early in the season, the sorghum midge and those that feed directly on the seed during later season. Early-season pests include a diverse group of insects. Among the most damaging are chinch bug, cutworms, aphids and wireworms. Probably the most destructive insect pest of Arkansas grain sorghum is the sorghum midge that first attacks flowering grain sorghum. Late-season insects that feed directly on seed include corn earworm, fall armyworm, sorghum webworm and stink bugs. Discussions of the major pests follow.

• Table 1
• Table 2