Insect Management

Corn leaf aphids

Watch for Aphids in Corn

July 27, 2023
Aphids cause the greatest amount of injury while they are feeding within the whorl prior to tassel emergence. Treatment may be needed if pollination is no more than half complete and more than half of the corn tassels are covered with aphids.

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Miller moths

Spring Miller Moth Invasion

May 23, 2023
While they don't cause damage to plants when feeding, migrating army cutworm moths can be an irksome household pest. Fortunately, there are simple management methods to prevent them from entering homes and other structures. 

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Fall Armyworm

Fall Armyworms in Pastures, Alfalfa, Small Grains, Cover Crops, and Lawns

September 24, 2021
We continue to receive questions on management with the unprecedented number of fall armyworms experienced in Nebraska this fall. The following is a Q/A to address the specific questions we’ve received.

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Fall armyworm
Fall armyworm. Photo by Nathan Mueller

Fall Armyworms Damaging Alfalfa in Southeast Nebraska

August 24, 2021
Fall armyworm caterpillars do most of their feeding in the last stage. If you are not watching fields on a regular basis, you may not notice damage or armyworms until they are large and doing significant damage.

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Alfalfa weevil larvae
Figure 1. Adult and small- to medium-sized larvae of the alfalfa weevil. (Photo by Julie Peterson)

Scouting Advised for Alfalfa Weevil

April 27, 2023
Alfalfa weevil larvae have emerged in southern Nebraska; scouting for this pest is crucial for alfalfa producers over the next few weeks.

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Plant disease photo collage

Sample Testing Underway at Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic

April 22, 2021
With operations resuming in full at the Plant & Pest Diagnostic Lab this spring, growers have several options for submitting weed, insect and plant disease samples for testing in Nebraska.

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Overwintering sawfly larva
The recent temperature extremes will not provide adequate control of pests such as this overwintering sawfly larva.

How Have the Cold February Temperatures Affected Insect Overwintering in Nebraska?

February 26, 2021
Extension specialists detail what effect February's bitter temperatures and snow cover may have on overwintering insects in Nebraska.

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western bean cutworm moth

Scouting and Treatment Recommendations for Western Bean Cutworm

July 12, 2023
Scouting should be prioritized in fields that are at the preferred growth stage for egg-laying and/or do not have the VIP3A Bt trait to protect them from western bean cutworm injury.

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