Insect & Pests
Rangeland Insects Are Critical Indicators of System Health
Insects, in general, may offer more indication of rangeland health than any other type of organism. They serve as key building blocks that other organisms depend on.
Understanding the Critical Role of Broadleaf Pollinator Plants in Pastures
Understanding the economic role of pollinators is the first step towards understanding their value to grassland and crop systems.
Insecticides for Protecting Pine Trees from Mountain Pine Beetle
There are no effective systemic pesticide treatments that will kill mountain pine beetle larvae inside the tree or adults as they emerge from an infested tree. Pesticide treatments are limited to protecting trees from becoming infested. These treatments are applied to the bark to kill the adult beetles as they land on the trunk and begin to burrow into the tree. This method of protection is highly effective and if the pesticides are applied at right time, losses may be as few as one or two trees for every hundred trees treated. However, only trees that are not infested should be treated. If a tree is already infested, pesticide application will not prevent the beetles from emerging and infested other trees.
Organic Pest Control Methods
Integrated pest management is an environmentally conscious approach to managing insects, weeds and disease. By focusing on natural processes, growers use pest control methods beginning with the least toxic and amplifying the pest control needs gradually if problems persist.
Promoting Dung Beetles on the Range
In South Dakota, dung beetles help regulate rangeland health through dung dispersal.
Friends and Foes of Brassica Crops
Brassica crops are a group of plants widely cultivated for their nutritional value and versatility in agriculture. Understanding their relationship with beneficial and detrimental insects is crucial for maintaining healthy crops and productive harvests.
Beneficial Pollinators: Squash Bees and Long-Horned Bees
South Dakota is home to more than 400 species of native bees. In this article, we will highlight the squash bee and the long-horned bee, two beneficial native pollinators.
Flying Gems: Long-Legged Flies
Whether scouting for pests in crops or in a garden, chances are you’ve encountered a long-legged fly. These insects provide essential biocontrol of many insect pests and should be encouraged in the landscape.
It’s a Bee! It’s a Wasp! No, It’s a Hover Fly!
Many types of insects are responsible for some degree of pollination in landscapes. In this article, we will focus on the syrphid fly as both an important pollinator and a beneficial insect predator.
Tiger Beetles: Beneficial Predators and Ecosystem Health Indicators
Tiger beetles are generalist predators, meaning they prey on a wide variety of pests. Observing them in a landscape is a great sign that an ecosystem is healthy and supporting both prey and predators.