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From left: Wheat plants killed by common root rot. Wheat plants with bleached heads due to Take-all disease. Bleached wheat heads due to stem maggot feeding.

Differentiating Between Wheat Head Diseases and Disorders

Several diseases and disorders can develop in wheat heads. Learn the symptoms of several common disease and insect issues being observed in South Dakota wheat this growing season.

Orange and metallic green moth resting on a green leaf.

Squash Vine Borers Ramping up in South Dakota

Last week squash vine borer moths were observed in South Dakota. For this reason, it is important to scout for the moths as well as eggs on the stems of zucchini, squash, pumpkins and related produce.

White silken tube with dark colored ends on a light background.

What’s Leaving These White Skins on My Lawn?

There have been many reports by homeowners of birds pulling out white, cigarette-looking tubes from their lawns. These tubes are silken tunnel linings created by the cigarette paper webworm.

a map of South Dakota showing the drought conditions

July Drought Hours to Address Livestock Nutrition, Crop Quality Concerns

July 15, 2021

More South Dakota acres are now in an extreme drought condition as lack of moisture and high temperatures continue to impact much of the state.

Three beetles. From left: Black colored blister beetle on a purple flower. Gray colored blister beetle on a green alfalfa stem. Orange-brown colored blister beetle feeding on a sunflower head.

Blister Beetles Showing up in Alfalfa Fields

Blister beetles are now active in South Dakota. Although the larvae of blister beetles can be beneficial by feeding on grasshopper eggs, the adults cause issues when large populations are present in alfalfa at the time of harvest.

Alfalfa plant that has numerous holes in the leaves.

Keep Scouting for Alfalfa Weevils

This week we received a report and picture confirmation of early-instar alfalfa weevil larvae in an alfalfa field. Although most alfalfa fields were treated for alfalfa weevils before the first cutting, those fields still need to be scouted.

Cowpea Aphids Infesting Alfalfa

Typically, we worry about pea aphids in alfalfa. However, we noticed that cowpea aphids were present on alfalfa this week. If left unmanaged, cowpea aphids can stunt alfalfa, reduce yields and even kill the plants during severe infestations.

Two mites. From left: Green leaf with two yellow spider mites with dark spots. Green leaf with yellow spider mite.

Spider Mites Reported in South Dakota Crops

With drought conditions continuing in South Dakota, it isn’t surprising that two-spotted spider mite infestations are being reported throughout the state. With hot temperatures in the forecast and limited chances for precipitation, we can expect spider mite populations to thrive in infested fields.

A soybean field showing healthy soybean plants, but roots are infested with SCN. The top right corner has an in-set picture that shows a soybean root with white pear-shaped SCN female cysts.

Drought Conditions May Increase Soybean Cyst Nematode Population in Soil

Moisture stress coupled with above-normal temperatures have been linked with increased soybean cyst nematode populations in the soil. In order to keep populations in the soil below the yield-reducing levels, there are a few management practices which can be used.

Small, pale-green leafhopper on a green alfalfa leaf.

Start Scouting for Potato Leafhoppers in Alfalfa

Potato leafhoppers are a migratory pest that commonly impact alfalfa fields throughout South Dakota. They cannot tolerate our cold winter temperatures, so they travel up from the southern United States each spring.