Insect & Pests
All Insect & Pests Content
Sawyer Beetles and Pine Wilt Disease
A sample came in from a recently felled Scotch pine tree down in Southeastern South Dakota. The hole and sawdust is due to a sawyer beetle that had infested the tree.
Ash Tree Issues
Ash flower galls are appearing on the twigs of ash throughout the state. The brown to black “balls” hang in clusters beneath the branch shoots. The galls are due to the feeding activity of the ash flower gall mite (Eriophyes fraxiniflora) and this mite only feeds on the male flowers of ash.
Aphids On Trees
Aphids are appearing on many trees at this time of year and their activity is generally noticed by the abundance of honeydew they excrete on the lower leaves and any plants or objects beneath the tree.
Cottonwood Galls
Just about every year I receive samples of fallen cottonwood leaves with a “bump” at the base and the first one for this year was from Winner. This is the cottonwood petiole gall formed by the feed activity of a very small green aphid.
Backyard Biodiversity: Nest boxes for native bees
Many of our native bee species are solitary. In order to ensure that these kinds of bees spend more time in our yards and gardens, it is important to make sure we include places for them to nest.
Check Your Houseplants for Pests
Houseplants are susceptible to a variety of pests. The following article outlines some of the more common household pests, including: spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. We will discuss strategies for scouting out and managing these pests to avoid prolonged damage to your houseplants.
Watch Out For Houseplant Pests
Aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies and scale may be the most common insect pests that you will find on your houseplants but there are several other pests and problems you should watch out for.
Sod Webworm in South Dakota
Sod webworm moths are emerging throughout South Dakota. Although these pests are common during the fall, the number of moth sightings and population densities in the Western half of the state are higher than normal. The particular species being found is the vagabond sod webworm. Unlike several other webworm species found in the United States, vagabond sod webworms rarely cause much damage and the adult moths are no more than just a short-term nuisance.
Protecting Your Garden From Squash Bugs
With the end of summer approaching, we are beginning to receive many reports of squash bugs appearing throughout South Dakota. These insects are a common pest in gardens from mid-summer until the first frost.
Millipedes Moving In?
Recent rain events coupled with decreasing temperatures are shaking things up outside. This is the time of year when insects and other arthropods that normally make their homes outside, start to move around and look for shelter. The critter that is causing the most calls so far is the millipede; which is an arthropod, but not an insect. Millipedes are helpful decomposers when outside and feed on decaying organic matter. They are commonly confused with centipedes, which are predaceous.