Insect & Pests

All Insect & Pests Content

Purple-brown caterpillar with orange head on a green corn leaf.

Common Stalk Borer Activity Estimate: May 5, 2022

Cool temperatures during the last week prevented the fast accumulation of degree days for common stalk borers. This pest can become a problem, especially around the borders of fields, as temperatures eventually warm up.

Moth with green metallic wings and an orange body resting on a green leaf.

Squash Vine Borer Activity Estimates: April 29, 2022

Squash vine borers can be a serious garden pest. If left unmanaged, their activity can cause a rapid decline in the health and productivity of zucchini, squash, pumpkins and other winter squash.

A small black bug with tan margins on its wings resting on a grass seed head.

Black Grass Bugs May Cause Issues if Drought Persists

In western South Dakota, black grass bugs are a common spring forage pest that can cause considerable damage during periods of drought. Learn how to monitor and manage this pest to protect your forages this spring.

Damsel Bugs: Beneficial Predators in Managed and Agricultural Landscapes

It is important to remember that not all insects are pests. Damsel bugs are beneficial predators that feed on soft-bodied insects, including many agricultural and garden pests.

Map of South Dakota with green (zero to three grasshoppers), orange (four to seven grasshoppers), and red (8 or more grasshoppers) dots indicating grasshopper populations that were sampled in 2021. The north central region, west of the Missouri River, has the highest concentration of red and orange dots.

South Dakota Grasshopper Prediction for 2022

Data from the 2021 USDA Adult Grasshopper Survey of South Dakota suggests that grasshopper populations may continue to be problem in parts of central and western South Dakota during the spring of 2022.

A yellow beetle with a black head, and square black markings on its back standing on a soybean leaf.

South Dakota Overwintering Bean Leaf Beetle Predicted Mortality: 2021-2022

Bean leaf beetle emergence is approaching, so it’s important to start thinking about this pest. Knowing the number of days that the air was cold enough for bean leaf beetle mortality allows us to estimate the emerging populations in the spring.

Caterpillar with brown and black stripes running down the length of its body. The caterpillar has a tan head and is feeding on green plant material.

Army Cutworms Are Active in South Dakota Wheat

Army cutworm caterpillar activity in winter wheat was detected a couple of weeks ago in South Dakota. Forecasted warmer temperatures will make conditions favorable for army cutworms to start feeding.

A sprawling sorghum field ready for harvest

An identification guide for Sorghum Insect Pests in South Dakota

Pictorial guide for common insect pests of sorghum in South Dakota.

A pasture containing a mixture of grasses and alfalfa.

An identification guide for Alfalfa Insect Pests in South Dakota

Pictorial guide for common insect pests of alfalfa in South Dakota

yellow-green grasshopper with black chevron markings on its hind leg sitting on a tan surface.

Grasshoppers May Be an Issue for Winter Wheat This Fall

We have recently observed large populations of grasshoppers in Southeast and Western South Dakota. Due to their destructive feeding habits, it is very important to monitor their populations prior to and during winter wheat planting.