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Insect & Pests

All Insect & Pests Content

Veterinarian and horse owner inspecting a horse.

Winter Ticks Showing Up on Horses

Ticks aren’t only active during the growing season in South Dakota. Winter ticks can be commonly found on horses and cattle. Learn some expert tips for identifying and managing them before they become a problem.

Soybean cyst nematode symptoms.

Know Soybean Cyst Nematode, Numbers Matter!

Have you noticed parts of your soybean field turning yellow earlier than expected? Are some of the plants stunted or showcasing a roller coaster appearance? Soybean cyst nematode may be to blame.

Illustration of a stable fly, horn fly and face fly.

Fly Control Considerations for Cattle on Pasture

Along with being irritants to livestock, horn flies, face flies and stable flies are economically important to producers due to their negative impacts on milk production and calf weaning weights.

Tomato spotted wilt virus symptoms

Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus can be a problem in both field and greenhouse situations, and most frequently its effects in South Dakota are observed on tomatoes and peppers.

Small, green teardrop shaped insects on a green, soybean stem with pink flower.

Soybean Aphids Active in South Dakota

Soybean aphid populations have been observed in South Dakota. Although populations are still very small and not widely dispersed, it is a good reminder that soybean aphid scouting should occur throughout the growing season.

Wheat leaf showing the green and yellow mosaic streaking associated with WSMV.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Showing Up in Fields

Wheat streak mosaic virus is a viral disease, which has been found in samples recently sent into the SDSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic. Learn how to identify it before it takes a toll on wheat crops.

A red, tractor-mounted sprayer with its tank being flushed by a hose connected to a large truck.

Preparing Spray Solutions: Mixing Order

Before mixing any pesticide always check the pesticide label for instructions on compatibility of two or more pesticides. Some herbicides and carriers require a compatibility agent, some are not compatible with a compatibility agent.

sunflower field

Best Management Practices for Sunflower Production

This is your unbiased, research-based guide to sunflower production, providing the latest recommendations to help increase yield, reduce input costs and protect your investment.

Three bean leaf beetles. From Left: Brown beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Yellow beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Red beetle with black spots on a green leaf.

Monitor Soybean for Bean Leaf Beetle Activity

Some of the bean leaf beetles we are currently observing in South Dakota may make up the population of overwintering adults. While these adults are in soybean, they can cause significant amounts of defoliation to the leaves.

Three soybean fields with yellowing issues due to potassium deficiency, iron deficiency chlorosis and soybean cyst nematode.

What Is Causing Soybeans to Yellow at This Time?

Recently scouted soybean fields were observed with yellowing plants, and one field was found to have plants dying prematurely. Learn some of the factors that may cause soybean plants to yellow at this time in the growing season.