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Plastic bag containing numerous green larvae.

Alfalfa Weevil Populations Rapidly Increasing in Western South Dakota and Starting to Show up in Eastern South Dakota This Week

Recent degree day accumulations for alfalfa weevils in western South Dakota would suggest that alfalfa weevil larvae activity should be wrapping up for the 2025 season. However, recent scouting of alfalfa suggests otherwise.

A small green corn plant that has been cut and is laying on the ground.

Scout Corn for Black Cutworm Activity

Black cutworms are a migratory moth that moves into South Dakota during early spring. Although black cutworm caterpillars cause minor corn injury by feeding on leaf tissue, serious injury occurs when feeding results in the cutting of young corn plants.

Gray beetle with long antennae.

Dectes Stem Borer in Soybean Survey: 2023 and 2024 Results

During the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons, researchers at SDSU surveyed soybean in Eastern South Dakota for the presence of Dectes stem borer adults.

Small black and yellow beetle feeding on the green leaf of a canola plant.

Start Scouting Canola for Flea Beetle Activity

There are three species of flea beetles that commonly infest canola and feed on the leaves. The main concern occurs early in the season when these beetles can rapidly defoliate the plants.

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

Common Stalk Borer Activity Estimate: June 5, 2025

In the southern counties of South Dakota, degree day estimates indicate that common stalk borer caterpillars are beginning to move from weedy hosts along field edges into corn fields.

Green corn leaf with ragged holes through-out caused by common stalk borer feeding.

Start Scouting for Common Stalk Borer Activity

Enough degree days have accumulated in some areas of South Dakota for common stalk borer caterpillars to start moving to corn end rows.

Map of South Dakota with Mesonet stations marked with blue dots.

How to Use the South Dakota Mesonet Small Grains Tool

South Dakota Mesonet Small Grains Tool is an easy-to-use and efficient tool that can help identify disease risks associated with wheat leaf rust, wheat leaf spot diseases, and Fusarium head blight.

Rhubarb plant with broad, green leaves.

Rhubarb: How to Grow It

Rhubarb is a perennial vegetable that can be very long-lived, often being productive for 20 years or more. Learn some expert tips for planting, growing, and harvesting it in this resource!

Young sunflower plants emerged in a vast field.

Overlapping Residual Herbicides May Be Necessary for Effective Weed Management

Weed management in sunflowers poses unique challenges. Compared with many other crops, there is a limited number of herbicides selections, especially postemergence herbicides.

Grasshopper with red hind tibia. It’s sitting on a green grass stem.

Survey of Grasshoppers in South Dakota

Fact sheet on the abundance and species diversity of grasshoppers in South Dakota