Insect & Pests
All Insect & Pests Content
Aphids Infesting Corn in South Dakota
Aphid populations are taking off in some southeastern South Dakota corn fields. The two aphid species that are commonly observed in corn include the corn leaf aphid and the bird cherry oat aphid.
Is it Time to Spray Red Sunflower Seed Weevils?
Red sunflower seed weevil adult activity is well underway on sunflowers in South Dakota. Even though the red sunflower seed weevil numbers are down, we are still observing populations in South Dakota that are above threshold.
Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Complex: Breaking the Green Bridge
As wheat harvest proceeds, it won’t be long until winter wheat planting is underway in South Dakota. To effectively reduce wheat streak mosaic virus, it is important to manage the green bridge effect to slow spread of disease in newly emerging wheat fields.
Volunteer Wheat and Kochia Management With Herbicides Will Likely Require Two Passes
Wheat curl mites, which carry wheat streak mosaic virus, use volunteer wheat and grass weeds as secondary hosts to infest recently planted winter wheat crops. Therefore, effective management of these plants before winter wheat planting is critical.
Grasshopper Populations Continue to Cause Issues in South Dakota
Recent reports of crop loss along field edges indicate that grasshopper populations in some areas of South Dakota are well above threshold. Unfortunately, crops are often the target of these moving populations.
Soybean Aphids Exceeding Thresholds in Some Parts of South Dakota
There have been a few fields this week that were infested with soybean aphids that are getting closer to threshold. We have also received reports of insecticides being applied to manage soybean aphids in South Dakota.
South Dakota Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Testing
New commercial pesticide applicators and those that have allowed their licenses to lapse must pass commercial pesticide applicator exams to receive certification. Learn about some some helpful resources, contacts, and tips to help you be successful in your certification testing.
European Corn Borer Caterpillars Infesting Conventional Corn in South Dakota
European corn borer caterpillars have been observed in conventional corn at several South Dakota locations. Indicators for the presence of European corn borer caterpillars in corn are a line of straight holes in the upper leaves that is often referred to as "shot-hole injury."
Redheaded Flea Beetles in Soybean
While scouting soybean this week, we noticed an uptick in redheaded flea beetle activity. In the fields that we scouted, defoliation levels were still very low at less than 5%.
Bean Leaf Beetles Showing Up in Soybean
Despite the prediction of low overwintering survival we have observed bean leaf beetles in soybean this week. See our latest observations and management recommendations.