Content by Patrick Wagner
What’s Causing the Tiny Holes on My Tomato Leaves?
Flea beetles are once again causing issues for gardeners across South Dakota. These herbivorous beetles can be a pest of many different garden plants, including tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash and lettuce.
Flying Gems: Long-Legged Flies
Whether scouting for pests in crops or in a garden, chances are you’ve encountered a long-legged fly. These insects provide essential biocontrol of many insect pests and should be encouraged in the landscape.
Squash Vine Borer Activity Estimates: June 10, 2022
Although gardening is well underway in South Dakota, squash vine borers should not be an issue for at least another week. See our latest activity estimates based on conditions around the state.
Common Stalk Borer Activity Estimate: June 9, 2022
In some areas of South Dakota, we have reached enough degree days that common stalk borer caterpillars will begin moving into corn from weedy hosts along the edges of fields.
Green Lacewings: Beneficial Predators for Both Small and Large-Scale Landscapes
Many insect species are beneficial to landscapes, and some are even reared in large quantities to be released as biological control agents. In this article, we will focus on one of those insects, the green lacewing.
Beneficial Pollinators: Squash Bees and Long-Horned Bees
South Dakota is home to more than 400 species of native bees. In this article, we will highlight the squash bee and the long-horned bee, two beneficial native pollinators.
Beneficial Pollinators: Honey Bees and Bicolored Striped-Sweat Bee
With temperatures increasing in South Dakota, expect to see an increase of beneficial pollinators searching for blooming plants. Learn about two important pollinators, the honey bee and the native bicolored striped-sweat bee.
Common Stalk Borer Activity Estimate: May 26, 2022
Not much has changed in terms of degree day accumulation for common stalk borers since last week. Cold low temperatures prevented most of the state from accumulating very many degree days.
Army Cutworms Beginning To Take Flight
Army cutworm moths were collected in a black light trap near Sturgis this week. This is an indicator that army cutworm caterpillars have finished feeding on available vegetation.
Seedcorn Maggot Degree Day Activity Estimates: May 18, 2022
Degree day accumulations continue to approach the peak emergence of the second generation of seedcorn maggots. See our latest management recommendations based on this activity.