Insect & Pests
Insect Festival
SDSU Extension and McCrory Gardens will host the Ninth Annual Insect Festival on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. CDT at McCrory Gardens (631 22nd Ave, Brookings, SD 57007).
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.
It’s Time To Scout for Soybean Aphids
While scouting soybeans last week, we observed small populations of soybean aphids. These populations suggest that the infestation was recent. In 2025, we observed similar small infestations that took a long time to increase.
Monitor Your Corn for Corn Rootworm Adults to Inform Management for Next Year and to Avoid Substantial Silk Feeding
Corn rootworm adults are active across South Dakota, and as a reminder, it’s a good time to scout to determine if your fields have a rootworm issue.
Start Scouting Your Sunflower Fields for Red Sunflower Seed Weevil Presence
Red sunflower seed weevil adults have been detected in South Dakota. Current recommendations for management in both confection and oilseed sunflower is to begin treatment when the majority of the field has reached the R5.4 growth stage, but applications done between R5.1 and R5.4 can still provide yield protection.
To Avoid Loss of Viable Seeds This Year, Keep an Eye Out for Banded Sunflower Moths in Sunflower
Banded sunflower moths are active in South Dakota, which means it is time to start scouting sunflowers for their eggs. The caterpillars of banded sunflower moths are capable of reducing yields and oil content by feeding on the developing florets and tunneling into developing seeds.
Straw Itch Mites
Factsheet on the lifecycle, identification, human impact, veterinary significance and management of straw itch mites.
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.
Banded Sunflower Moth
Factsheet on the identification, lifecycle, scouting and economic impact of the Banded Sunflower Moth.
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.