Insect & Pests

All Insect & Pests Content

A reddish-brown Hessian fly with long black legs and beaded antennae resting on a plant.

Hessian Flies in South Dakota

This fact sheet covers the identification, life cycle and management options for Hessian Flies in South Dakota.

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.

A yellowish-orange beetle with black squares along the back resting on a green plant.

Bean Leaf Beetles in South Dakota

This fact sheet provides an overview of the biology of the Bean Leaf Beetle and management options for South Dakota.

A long slender black and yellow bug with smoky gray wings and long antennae.

Wheat Stem Sawflies in South Dakota Wheat

This fact sheet covers the identification, lifecycle and management of Wheat Stem Sawflies in South Dakota.

Two young women observing a group of sheep in a holding pen.

Managing Sheep Keds

Sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus) are blood-sucking external parasites that can significantly impact sheep production.

South Dakota Pest Management Guides

The South Dakota Pest Management guides are now available for free. The guides offer recommendations for controlling weeds, insects, and diseases in a variety of South Dakota crops.

Crop Hour

SDSU Extension will deliver a series of virtual Crop Hour webinars January 7 to February 27, 2025, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. CST.

Aerial view of the SDSU Southeast Research Farm.

Jan 06

Southeast Research Farm Seminars @ Dakota Farm Show

Join SDSU Extension for a series of educational presentations during the Dakota Farm Show from January 6-7, 2026, at the USD DakotaDome (1101 N Dakota St, Vermillion, SD 57069).

Rows of empty white, plastic pesticide containers.

Private Applicator Training for Pesticides

Private applicator certification is required before an agricultural producer can purchase or use a restricted use pesticide.

A red sprayer in a green field with a cloudy sky in the background.

Commercial Applicator Training for Pesticides

Those who apply pesticides for hire or as a government employee that applies pesticides while performing work duties, must have a commercial applicator license.