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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
Grain storage bin.

Steps to Prevent Stored Grain Infestations

As fall harvest is approaching it is important to ensure that grain bins are prepared in the best possible manner to prevent insect infestations.

Yellow corn kernels with damage.

Small Black Beetles Infesting the Tips of Corn: What you should know

There has been a recent increase in small, black beetles infesting the tips of corn ears and often being found in damaged kernels. There are three species of beetles, often referred to collectively as sap beetles, that can be found feeding on corn.

Sunflower moth, banded sunflower moth, and sunflower maggot adult.

Sunflower Pest Recap

During 2026, we will be producing a new weekly update on sunflower insect pest activity. This information will be attained via a sampling network of eight locations that are in central South Dakota.