Content by Amanda Bachmann

West Nile Virus Update: July 29, 2026

As of July 30, 2026, the South Dakota Department of Health indicated that West Nile Virus positive mosquito pools have been detected in Brown, Codington, Hughes, Lincoln, and Minnehaha counties in South Dakota.

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.

Keep an Eye Out for Cut Soybean Plants: A Sign of Dingy Cutworm Presence

Dingy cutworms have been observed in South Dakota no-till soybean fields. Their activity will likely continue for at least another couple of weeks.

Various Grasshopper Species Are Active Across South Dakota

While scouting, we have noticed increased grasshopper nymph activity and in some areas these populations are close to threshold levels. Crops in areas that have had high populations should be regularly scouted to ensure that extensive defoliation doesn’t go unnoticed.

Pea Aphid Alert: Forecasted temperatures could result in rapid population increases

The temperatures during the last week and the forecasted temperatures for next week will potentially encourage rapid pea aphid population growth. Although many fields have been cut recently, pea aphids can still readily recolonize alfalfa.