Insect & Pests

All Insect & Pests Content

brown straw itch mite on a green background

Straw Itch Mites

Factsheet on the lifecycle, identification, human impact, veterinary significance and management of straw itch mites.

Parasitoid wasp with an orange abdomen and dark brown head and thorax.

Wheat Stem Sawfly Parasitoid: Bracon cephi

This fact sheet covers the identification and lifecycle of a parasitoid wasp species in South Dakota that attacks Wheat Stem Sawfly larvae.

Small beetle with elongated black snout. Beetle is red-orange in color.
Aug 14

Red Sunflower Seed Weevil Management Webinar

SDSU Extension will host an informational sunflower webinar focusing on red sunflower seed weevil management on August 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

a cream colored moth with a brown band around the middle of the body on a green leaf

Banded Sunflower Moth

Factsheet on the identification, lifecycle, scouting and economic impact of the Banded Sunflower Moth.

tall trees in the Black Hills

Tree Pest Alert

From seasonal issues and timely recommendations to disease diagnosis and expert advice, the Tree Pest Alert is a trusted resource for selecting, planting and caring for trees and shrubs all year round.

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.

Three wheat fields exhibiting wheat streak mosaic virus symptoms throughout.

South Dakota Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Disease: 2026 Update

Wheat streak mosaic virus is on the move across South Dakota wheat fields. Due to the mild winter and overwintering in winter wheat, viral activity has had a jump start in 2026, and the occurrence and intensity of disease pressure is comparable to the 2025 season.

a brown bug with wings on a wood stick with a black background

Wheat Stem Sawfly Parasitoid: Bracon lissogaster

Factsheet on indentification and lifecycle of Wheat Stem Sawfly Parasitoid.

Testing Center on the South Dakota State University campus.

SDSU Extension Pesticide Applicator Testing Locations

Whether you are interested in becoming certified as a private or commercial pesticide applicator, SDSU Extension is proud to offer in-person pesticide applicator testing locations throughout South Dakota.

Small beetle with elongated black snout. Beetle is red-orange in color.

Vertento® Insecticide Approved for Red Sunflower Seed Weevil Management

Recently the Environmental Protection Agency approved a Section 18 Emergency Exemption label for Vertento® Insecticide for use on sunflowers for red sunflower seed weevil management in South Dakota. This exemption is effective from July 15 to August 31, 2026.