Content by Amanda Bachmann

Diamondback Moth Caterpillars Active In South Dakota

Diamondback moth caterpillars have been observed in South Dakota gardens. These pests feed primarily on cole crops, such as broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale, leaving behind irregular-shaped holes.

Earwigs Are Active

Although earwigs typically prefer wet conditions, quite a few have been observed so far this year. It’s important to remember that watering lawns or potted plants around the house provides ideal earwig habitat.

Bronzed Cutworms Are Active

Bronzed cutworms can damage turf by clipping blades of grass close to the soil surface. Feeding by bronzed cutworms in lawns will result in small, brown circular patches, and large populations can result in extensive lawn injury.

Wireworms in the Garden

With warming soil temperatures, overwintering wireworms have become active throughout South Dakota. Wireworms are soil-dwelling insects that can be pests of germinating seeds, seedlings and root crops.

Cabbage White Butterflies Are Here!

Keep an eye out for cabbage white butterflies in your garden. These butterflies lay eggs on the underside of the vegetable leaves. Once the eggs hatch, their caterpillars feed on cabbage, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, turnips and radishes.

Small Aphid Populations Observed in Wheat

This week we received the first report of aphids in wheat for the 2021 season. The populations won’t be increasing rapidly until the daily temperatures warm up, but it is still a good idea to scout fields and determine if aphids are present.

Alfalfa Weevils Are Active, and It’s Time to Scout

Scouting and managing alfalfa weevils when they reach the determined thresholds can prevent yield loss and encourage healthy regrowth of infested alfalfa stands.

Flea Beetles Already Active In Gardens

It may seem early, but flea beetles are already active in gardens in South Dakota. Adult beetles feed on leaves and stems, and their feeding will leave behind a multitude of small, irregular holes or pits.

It’s Time to Scout Alfalfa for Cutworms

One of the earliest insect pests that can be found in South Dakota’s alfalfa fields are army cutworms. Injury from cutworms can sometimes be overlooked until large patches of an alfalfa field have been “cut.”

Monitor Wheat for Early-Season Cutworm Activity

It's finally warming up in South Dakota, and insect activity in wheat fields will be increasing. For wheat, a couple of early-season pests that may already be active are the army cutworm and the pale western cutworm.