South Dakota Pest Management Guides
The South Dakota Pest Management guides are now available for free. The guides offer recommendations for controlling weeds, insects, and diseases in a variety of South Dakota crops.
Wheat Insects
Recommended Content
All Wheat Insects Content
Crops
During the growing season, SDSU Extension provides weekly production recommendations.
Wheat
The SDSU Extension team provides unbiased, research-based information to help wheat growers make decisions to improve yields and profits.
Army Cutworms Returning to South Dakota
A black light trap at the SDSU West River Research Farm near Sturgis has started capturing army cutworm moths. This indicates that the moths that migrated west this spring are returning to the South Dakota plains to lay eggs.
Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Management Before Planting
Wheat streak mosaic virus is one of the important diseases in winter wheat and can lead to severe yield losses. Learn how it can be effectively mitigated by using proactive management in your fields.
True Armyworm Caterpillars Observed in South Dakota Wheat
Wheat harvest is underway in South Dakota, and one of our seemingly annual pests has been observed in wheat fields. While scouting last week, we observed small populations of true armyworms in wheat in Northeastern South Dakota.
Hessian Fly: Preventing Outbreaks in Wheat
Hessian flies (Mayetiola destructor) are tiny, gnat-like flies. Their larvae are considered serious pests of wheat and occasional pests of barley and rye.
Wheat Stem Sawfly: An Overview
In recent years, the northwestern and north central regions of South Dakota have struggled with the presence of sawfly populations in wheat fields. Learn some tips for identifying and managing them in wheat.
True Armyworm Caterpillars Spotted in South Dakota
While scouting this week we observed some very small true armyworm caterpillars. Every year these caterpillars pose a threat to wheat fields, and the best way to stay ahead of them is to start scouting before defoliation is done.
Grasshopper Activity Is Ramping Up
We have already observed increased grasshopper activity in many areas of the state and, depending on the 2022 season, they may become problematic in crops.
Tiger Beetles: Beneficial Predators and Ecosystem Health Indicators
Tiger beetles are generalist predators, meaning they prey on a wide variety of pests. Observing them in a landscape is a great sign that an ecosystem is healthy and supporting a diversity of both prey and predators.