Content by Philip Rozeboom
Vertento® Insecticide Approved for Red Sunflower Seed Weevil Management
Recently the Environmental Protection Agency approved a Section 18 Emergency Exemption label for Vertento® Insecticide for use on sunflowers for red sunflower seed weevil management in South Dakota. This exemption is effective from July 15 to August 31, 2026.
Fly Management for Cattle
There are several species of flies that can reduce the production value of livestock, particularly during hot, dry weather. To manage these pests, it’s important to be able to accurately identify them and understand their life cycles.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Field School
SDSU Extension will host an IPM Field School at the SDSU Volga Research Farm (21200-, 21298 464th Ave., Volga, SD 57071) on Wednesday, July 29, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Large Grasshopper Nymph Populations Detected in Southeast South Dakota
This week we received several reports of large grasshopper populations originating from southeast South Dakota. The populations were well above threshold and actively defoliating crops.
Keep an Eye on Your Wheat: True Armyworm caterpillars may be present
Every year, true armyworm caterpillars pose a threat to South Dakota wheat fields, and they most frequently show up during the end of June and early July. However, strong southerly winds during the spring can cause populations to show up earlier.
European Corn Borer Caterpillars Are Active: Scout your conventional corn
European corn borer caterpillars have been observed in conventional corn at several locations. Indicators for presence of are a line of straight holes in the upper leaves that is often referred to as shot-hole injury.
Fungus Gnats Affecting Soybean Emergence
We have recently received a report of a maggot attacking soybean seedlings. During most years, we would immediately expect this to be a case of seedcorn maggots, but it was fungus gnat larvae.
Soybean Plants Are Entering the Reproductive Stage (R1): Last chance to spray select herbicides
The summer solstice roughly marks the date when soybean plants switch from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. An important aspect of the reproductive growth stage is that many herbicides can no longer be applied after plants reach any bloom stage.
Springtails Are Active in South Dakota
Recent reports of seemingly millions of very small insects moving around on driveways and around homes was the result of a springtail population boom. Springtails typically become a nuisance during drought conditions or saturating rains.
West Nile Virus Update: July 2, 2026
On June 15, 2026, the South Dakota Department of Health released a press release that the first West Nile Virus positive pool of mosquitos was detected in Brown County. Although much of the state is still experiencing drought, recent heavy rains will promote already active mosquito populations.