Insect & Pests
All Insect & Pests Content
Bees and Other Pollinators Visiting Sunflower
While insecticides are often necessary to reduce pest populations and prevent yield loss in sunflower, it is important to consider the impact they may have on beneficial insects, like bees and other native pollinators.
Production and Utilization of Field Peas in South Dakota
Guide to field pea production and utilization in South Dakota
Fall Armyworm Caterpillars Causing Issues in South Dakota
This week we started to receive reports of pastures and alfalfa stands that have been heavily fed on by fall armyworm caterpillars. Typically, these pests are not an issue in South Dakota. However, populations have been very large in many states during 2021, and they have now moved into South Dakota.
Dectes Stem Borer in Soybean
Although Dectes stem borers are more of an issue in South Dakota sunflower, they can also infest soybean. Thier larvae may cause soybean yield losses due to their feeding activity in the pith of the stem and also due to late-season lodging.
West Nile Virus Update: Sept. 17, 2021
The South Dakota Department of Health's latest update indicated that West-Nile-virus-positive mosquitoes were detected in Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Codington, Hand, Hughes, Lincoln and Minnehaha counties in South Dakota.
Chlorpyrifos Tolerances Revoked by U.S. Evironmental Protection Agency
In August 2021, a final rule was released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the insecticide active ingredient chlorpyrifos. The rule revoked all tolerances for chlorpyrifos.
Soldier Beetles Visiting Flowers
Flowers in many gardens are currently being visited by soldier beetles. While these orange beetles have a strong preference for flowering plants, they are predators and pollinators and don’t pose a threat to your garden.
Picnic Beetles and Multicolored Asian Ladybeetles Bothering Produce
Ripe fruit that has been injured can attract undesirable insects into your garden. Some of these insects will feed on the produce, which can completely ruin it by increasing the rate of decay and make it unappealing.
Millipedes in Yards and Homes
During late summer and early fall, millipedes are typically a hot topic as they are observed moving into homes, sheds and other outbuildings. When found indoors, they are considered accidental entrants, as they are not able to reproduce indoors and will eventually die.
Grasshoppers in Gardens
Due to large populations and dry conditions, grasshoppers are moving into gardens and feeding on whatever they can find. In a normal year, grasshoppers can be a nuisance in a garden, but during an outbreak year, they can present a real threat to gardens, shrubs and small trees.