Wheat Insects

All Wheat Insects Content

A reddish-brown Hessian fly with long black legs and beaded antennae resting on a plant.

Hessian Flies in South Dakota

This fact sheet covers the identification, life cycle and management options for Hessian Flies in South Dakota.

Parasitoid wasp with an orange abdomen and dark brown head and thorax.

Wheat Stem Sawfly Parasitoid: Bracon cephi

This fact sheet covers the identification and lifecycle of a parasitoid wasp species in South Dakota that attacks Wheat Stem Sawfly larvae.

A long slender black and yellow bug with smoky gray wings and long antennae.

Wheat Stem Sawflies in South Dakota Wheat

This fact sheet covers the identification, lifecycle and management of Wheat Stem Sawflies in South Dakota.

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.

aerial view of South Dakota farm and surrounding land

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.

Multicolored Asian lady beetle, female mosquito, and boxelder bug.

Insects Are Being a Nuisance This Fall

The weather is changing, and many of us are noticing an uptick in the nuisance bites caused by several insects. The continued warm weather is going to increase the activity of all insects, including the ones that are causing us displeasure.

A female Hessian fly on a blade of wheat.

Hessian Fly: Winter Wheat Planting Date Considerations

As winter wheat planting rapidly approaches, there are many factors that should be considered. One of those factors is choosing a planting date to avoid Hessian fly issues. Learn some expert tips for selecting a safe planting date for your region.

Green and brown grasshopper with two yellow lines that originate on the head and meet on the abdomen.

Monitor Emerging Winter Wheat for Grasshopper Populations

Large grasshopper populations have been observed in many areas of South Dakota. It is important to scout winter wheat fields for grasshoppers before and after planting, especially in areas where large populations have been identified.

A hand holding a brownish gray moth with a valley of green grass and trees in the background.

Army Cutworm Migration Swarms Detected in Western South Dakota

Mass populations of army cutworm moths are being reported to entomologists at South Dakota State University. Thus far, these migratory swarms have only been observed in far western South Dakota, particularly within the Black Hills.