Insect & Pests

All Insect & Pests Content
Map of South Dakota of Northern Great Plains and the Western United States. Colors indicate the number of grasshoppers per square yard in each of the sampled locations. For a detailed description, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

South Dakota Grasshopper Prediction for 2026

Almost every year in South Dakota there is a risk that grasshopper populations will reach levels capable of causing issues for producers. Unfortunately, our prediction for the 2026 growing season won’t change the trend.

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

Drought Conditions Magnifying Impact of Black Grass Bugs

Black grass bugs are a common early-season pest of forage grasses. Drought conditions exacerbate their impact by stressing plants and reducing their ability to tolerate and recover from feeding injury.

section of brown pine trees damaged by pine beetles surrounded by green, healthy pine trees and rock formations

Pine Bark Beetle Meeting May 11 in Spearfish

May 04, 2026

SDSU Extension and USDA Forest Service staff will answer questions about pine bark beetles at a public meeting on May 11, 2026, at the Recreation Center multi-purpose room in Spearfish (122 Recreation Lane) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. MT.

A hairy, wingless fly that is reddish-brown in color.

Sheep Keds in South Dakota

Factsheet covering the lifecycle, identification and management options for Sheep Keds in South Dakota.

Small beetle with elongated black snout. Beetle is red-orange in color.

Management of Pyrethroid-resistant Red Sunflower Seed Weevils

Factsheet on the management strategies of Pyrethroid-resistant Red Sunflower Seed Weevils.

Ants on a sidewalk next to some green grass.

Ants Preparing for Another Busy Year

A wet growing season last year combined with a mild winter has boosted ant activity across the state, and we have already received numerous questions from both curious and concerned residents in South Dakota.

a handfull of sunflower seeds with small holes in the shells on a white table.

Differentiating Insect Damage to Sunflower Seeds

This publication covers different insect damage characteristics to sunflower seeds.

A reddish-brown Hessian fly with long black legs and beaded antennae resting on a plant.

Hessian Flies in South Dakota

This fact sheet covers the identification, life cycle and management options for Hessian Flies in South Dakota.

A yellowish-orange beetle with black squares along the back resting on a green plant.

Bean Leaf Beetles in South Dakota

This fact sheet provides an overview of the biology of the Bean Leaf Beetle and management options for South Dakota.

A long slender black and yellow bug with smoky gray wings and long antennae.

Wheat Stem Sawflies in South Dakota Wheat

This fact sheet covers the identification, lifecycle and management of Wheat Stem Sawflies in South Dakota.