Content by Patrick Wagner

Three bean leaf beetles. From Left: Brown beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Yellow beetle with black spots on a green leaf. Red beetle with black spots on a green leaf.

Bean Leaf Beetles Showing Up in Soybean

Despite the prediction of low overwintering survival we have observed bean leaf beetles in soybean this week. See our latest observations and management recommendations.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offices in Washington, D.C.

Update on Chlorpyrifos Use in South Dakota

As of June 30, 2025, the labeled uses for chlorpyrifos products for food and feed are limited to alfalfa, soybean, and wheat in South Dakota. Chlorpyrifos can no longer be used to treat sunflowers.

Cream colored larvae on white and green soybean stem on brown dirt.

Dectes Stem Borer Adults Detected in South Dakota Soybean

Dectes stem borer adults have been collected from soybean in Southeastern South Dakota this week. As a reminder, the larvae of insect pest are capable of reducing soybean yields from 0-17% due to its feeding activity inside of the main stem.

Blue container with lid visible that has a label indicating it is only for pesticide contaminated clothing/PPE.

How to Properly Launder Pesticide Contaminated Clothing

Many types of personal protective equipment are intended for single use only and should be discarded after use, but how do you wash reusable equipment and clothing contaminated with pesticide residue?

Gray beetle with long antennae.

Dectes Stem Borer in South Dakota Soybeans

Fact sheet on Dectes stem borer in South Dakota soybeans

Green aphid with black cornicles and black patterns on legs.

Aphid Populations Continue To Increase in Wheat

English grain aphid populations are continuing to increase in wheat. With increasing pressure, it is important to scout wheat fields to ensure that the populations do not cause yield loss.

Grasshopper with red hind tibia. It’s sitting on a green grass stem.

Survey of Grasshoppers in South Dakota

Fact sheet on the abundance and species diversity of grasshoppers in South Dakota

Examples of three commonly used protective gloves used for pesticide applications.

Pesticide Personal Protective Equipment: Glove Selection

Safety gloves are one of the most-important pieces of pesticide personal protective equipment. Glove material is very important, as not all materials provide the same protection for different pesticide ingredients.

Green aphid with red eyes and cornicles with black tips.

Monitor Alfalfa for Pea Aphid Activity

Pea aphids can cause yield reductions to alfalfa when large populations are present. Prolonged feeding by these populations can even cause the alfalfa fields to take on a “golden” color.

Adult red sunflower seed weevil on a sunflower leaf.

Malathion receives special local needs approval to treat red sunflower seed weevils in South Dakota from July 15 to August 31, 2025

The request was submitted and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency due to the large populations of red sunflower seed weevil present in South Dakota that are resistant to pyrethroid insecticides.