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Adam Varenhorst

Associate Professor & SDSU Extension Field Crop Entomologist

605-688-6854

Berg Agricultural Hall 226
Box 2100A
Brookings, SD 57007

As the SDSU Extension Field Crop Entomologist Adam serves South Dakota stakeholders by addressing insect pest issues in field crops. He conducts applied research that focuses on corn, soybean, wheat and sunflower. Additionally, he assists the other extension entomologists to address questions pertaining to insect questions for the home and garden, urban insect pests and general entomology questions.

State & Regional Offices

SDSU Campus

Also by Adam Varenhorst

Green plant with evidence of honeydew and an aphid colony.

Aphids Infesting Corn in South Dakota

Aphid populations are taking off in some southeastern South Dakota corn fields. The two aphid species that are commonly observed in corn include the corn leaf aphid and the bird cherry oat aphid.

Red-brown colored weevil with bent antennae originating on the elongated mouthparts.

Is it Time to Spray Red Sunflower Seed Weevils?

Red sunflower seed weevil adult activity is well underway on sunflowers in South Dakota. Even though the red sunflower seed weevil numbers are down, we are still observing populations in South Dakota that are above threshold.

Green wheat leaves with yellow streaks throughout.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Complex: Breaking the Green Bridge

As wheat harvest proceeds, it won’t be long until winter wheat planting is underway in South Dakota. To effectively reduce wheat streak mosaic virus, it is important to manage the green bridge effect to slow spread of disease in newly emerging wheat fields.