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Adam Varenhorst

Associate Professor & SDSU Extension Field Crop Entomologist

605-688-6854

Berg Agricultural Hall 226
Box 2100A
Brookings, SD 57007

As the SDSU Extension Field Crop Entomologist Adam serves South Dakota stakeholders by addressing insect pest issues in field crops. He conducts applied research that focuses on corn, soybean, wheat and sunflower. Additionally, he assists the other extension entomologists to address questions pertaining to insect questions for the home and garden, urban insect pests and general entomology questions.

State & Regional Offices

SDSU Campus

Also by Adam Varenhorst

Yellowjacket feeding on decaying produce.

Yellowjackets: Swarming decaying produce or garbage near you

Fall is here, and if you have a garden, fruit trees, or outdoor dumpsters, you are likely to encounter yellowjackets in search of food. Learn some expert tips to avoid getting stung this fall.

Swarm of mosquitoes.

West Nile Virus Update: September 26, 2025

As of September 26, 2025, the South Dakota Department of Health (SD DOH) reported 74 human cases of West Nile Virus from Aurora, Beadle, Bon Homme, Brookings, Brown, Charles Mix, Clay, Codington, Corson, Douglas, Grant, Gregory, Haakon, Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hutchison, Hyde, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marshall, Meade, Miner, Minnehaha, Pennington, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, Stanley, Union, Walworth, and Yankton counties.

Multicolored Asian lady beetle, female mosquito, and boxelder bug.

Insects Are Being a Nuisance This Fall

The weather is changing, and many of us are noticing an uptick in the nuisance bites caused by several insects. The continued warm weather is going to increase the activity of all insects, including the ones that are causing us displeasure.