Insect & Pests

Galls on Canada Thistle: Biological Management at Work

A common sight this summer on Canada thistle is odd growths (also known as galls) on stems. These galls are a product of thistle stem gall fly attacking Canada thistle plants.

SDSU Extension, McCrory Gardens to host 7th annual Insect Festival

August 13, 2024

The seventh annual Insect Festival is from 1 to 4 p.m. CDT on Sept. 7, 2024, at McCrory Gardens in Brookings. There will be garden tours, interactive insect education, an insect costume parade, crafts and edible insects.

Management Recommendations for Soybean Aphids

In many fields across eastern South Dakota soybean aphid populations have reached economic thresholds, and there have been a lot of questions regarding the best approach to managing the 2024 outbreak.

Sunflower Moths Observed in South Dakota

Sunflower moths have been observed in South Dakota sunflower fields this week. Sunflower heads are most susceptible to damage caused by the sunflower moth caterpillars from the onset of flowering to when the ray petals begin drying.

Night-Blooming Flowers and Host Plants for Moths

Moths are fascinating creatures, and they are also important pollinators. Learn about a variety of night-blooming flowers and native host plants that can attract these beneficial insects to your yard and garden.

It’s Time to Scout for Soybean Aphids

Small populations of soybean aphids were observed this week while scouting. Early scouting will ensure that populations do not rapidly increase and exceed the recommended economic threshold.

Wheat Stem Sawfly Adults Observed in South Dakota

During the 2024 wheat stem sawfly survey, wheat stem sawfly adults were captured in northwestern South Dakota. Observation is used to determine areas where solid stem wheat varieties should be considered.

Potato Leafhoppers Becoming Prevalent

Potato leafhoppers are a migratory pest that impact South Dakota alfalfa each year. At this point in the growing season, they have become established and are now causing widespread issues.

These mosquitoes are awful! What can I do in my backyard to manage them?

Mosquitoes are out in force across much of South Dakota. While there are steps you can take to prevent bites, there are also chemical and non-chemical options available for backyard mosquito control.

Monitor Crops for Grasshopper Activity

Abundant precipitation throughout much of South Dakota has resulted in less grasshopper observations. However, in areas where grasshoppers were an issue in 2023, they are starting to show up again.