Search

Two caterpillars feeding on soybeans. Top: Green cloverworm caterpillar. Bottom: Alfalfa caterpillar.

Soybean Defoliators Are Active

It’s that time of the season when numerous defoliating insects can be observed in a single soybean field. Most of the defoliators at this time are green cloverworms and alfalfa caterpillars.

A group of children examining the parts of a wildflower in a meadow.

Plant Part Powers!

Following this lesson, participants will be able to identify basic plant parts and use more complex plant part vocabulary.

Sideview of cut zucchini showing a small white caterpillar with a black head.

Squash Vine Borers Strike Again: This Time They’re in the Produce!

The larvae of the squash vine borer can wreak havoc on squash plants by boring into the stems and slowly killing the plants. Unfortunately, they’ll do even more than that. They will also invade the developing produce.

Four green caterpillars feeding on kale.

Imported Cabbage Worms Are Chewing up My Garden!

One of the worst things to observe in your garden are caterpillars heavily defoliating your plants. But unfortunately, that’s exactly what the imported cabbageworms (cabbage white) caterpillars do.

A bee pollinating a flower.

Pollinators Party

In this lesson, participants will learn how plants reproduce and how to identify pollinators that help plants.

Three John Deere Tractors moving silage and packing the corn silage to make a drive over silage pile.

Be Safe and Smart Around Silage

Corn silage making season will soon be upon us. It is important to take the time to communicate with employees proper protocols while making silage, along with safe practices around silage piles or silos.

Left: Red larvae with black spots and black head on green leaf. Right: Orange beetles with white elytra with many black lines on each side.

Colorado Potato Beetles Causing Defoliation on Potatoes

Last week we received calls about insects feeding on potato plants. The culprit was the Colorado potato beetle, which is a major pest of potatoes.

Left: Yellow beetle with black spots present on a green leaf. Right: Red beetle with black spots.

Argus Tortoise Beetle: No, It’s Not a Lady Beetle

Every summer, we receive reports of what looks like a large yellow lady beetle, except that they are defoliating certain plants. It isn’t a lady beetle, it’s the Argus tortoise beetle.

Orange beetle with black stripes and a red head on a green leaf.

Blister Beetles Causing Problems in Gardens

Typically, we don’t see a lot of issues with blister beetle feeding in gardens. However, when they show up, blister beetles can rapidly defoliate plants.

ALT TEXT: Left: Brown moth with light markings on the wings. Right: Green caterpillar with a white line on the side of its body on a green leaf.

Cabbage Loopers Are Eating My Veggies

Cabbage looper caterpillars have been spotted in South Dakota gardens. Like their name suggests, cabbage loopers primarily feed on cabbage as well as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, radish, turnip and other cruciferous crops.