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Purple-brown caterpillar with orange head on a green corn leaf.

Common Stalk Borer Activity Estimate: May 24, 2024

Throughout South Dakota, common stalk borer caterpillars are still active in alternative weed and grass hosts.

Seecorn maggot larva feeding on a seed in a field.

Seedcorn Maggot Degree Day Activity Estimates: May 24, 2024

Parts of South Dakota are currently at, slightly below, or over the 1,080 degree days for the peak second generation emergence of seedcorn maggots.

Green beetle larvae with a white stripe running down its body.

Alfalfa Weevil Activity Prediction Update: May 24, 2024

Degree day accumulations continue to estimate alfalfa weevil activity throughout South Dakota. Alfalfa weevil activity is likely greater in southern counties, but alfalfa should continue to be scouted statewide.

Various weeds emerging from a research plot in some rows, while other rows are weed-free.

Weeds Are Starting to Emerge: Even After a Preemergence Herbicide Application

During recent scouting, weeds were noticed in plots treated with preemergence herbicides. Learn some troubleshooting considerations to help determine why some weeds emerge following preemergence treatments.

A picture of a absinth wormwood plant that has white colored leaves.

Absinth Wormwood Control in the Spring

Absinth wormwood is a difficult-to-control, noxious weed that can produce great amounts of seed (50,000 seeds per-stem) and spreads only by seed, illustrating the importance of management prior to seed production.

Green alfalfa weevil larvae with a white stripe running down its body.

Alfalfa Weevil Activity Prediction Update: May 29, 2024

Most alfalfa weevil larvae that were observed this week were between the first and second instar, but it is likely that later instars are present in southern counties.

Seecorn maggot larva feeding on a seed in a field.

Seedcorn Maggot Degree Day Activity Estimates: May 29, 2024

Many of the northern counties are approaching enough degree days for a peak second-generation seedcorn maggot emergence to occur.

Small white maggot next to a brown pill shaped pupa.

Monitor for Seedcorn Maggots in Wet Planted Fields

Current spring conditions, including wet soil and cool temperatures, could result in seedcorn maggot issues in South Dakota.

Producer with tablet observing a field in late autumn.

Critical Period of Weed Control: A good, but not perfect guideline

The critical period of weed control is the period during a crop lifecycle when weeds need to be managed to avoid a significant yield loss.

Green aphid with red eyes and cornicles with black tips.

Monitor Alfalfa for Pea Aphid Activity

Pea aphids can cause yield reductions to alfalfa when large populations are present. Prolonged feeding by these populations can even cause the alfalfa fields to take on a “golden” color.