Julie Peterson - Extension Entomologist

Julie Peterson

faculty
Work
402 W State Farm Rd North Platte NE 69101-7751
US
Work 308-696-6704 On campus, dial 7-6704

Faculty Bio
CW Welcome to Julie Peterson
Twitter: @PetersonInsects

Photo collage of insect on plant leaf and hand holding bisected plant stem
Figure 1. Adult soybean stem borer, Dectes texanus texanus (left) and larval tunneling in soybean petioles (right) at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center in June 2024.

Dectes Stem Borer in Soybean

July 10, 2024
A difficult insect to manage, soybean stem borer has expanded its reach in Nebraska. This extension article reviews considerations for scouting and control options, plus resources for producers to learn more on this crop pest.

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False chinch bugs en masse on ground
Figure 1. False chinch bugs. (Photo by Ron Seymour)

False Chinch Bugs Found in Nebraska

July 1, 2024
False chinch bugs are usually considered an incidental pest, but wilting and feeding damage is occasionally noticed when a large number of the bugs feed on plants.

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Western bean cutworm on corn

Degree-days for Prediction of Western Bean Cutworm Flight in 2024

June 19, 2024
Measuring the amount of heat between an upper and lower threshold to which an insect has been exposed, degree-days models can provide a high level of precision in predicting western bean cutworm peak flight.

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Insects in a line on flat surface
Figure 1. Wheat stem sawfly adult (left) and the two species of Bracon parasitoids (middle and right) that are commonly found parasitizing wheat stem sawfly larvae in Nebraska. (Photo by Jeff Bradshaw)

Wheat Stem Sawfly Flights Peaked, New Reports of Range Expansion

June 12, 2024
In addition to confirming the presence of wheat stem sawfly in new Nebraska counties this year, Nebraska Extension anticipates fairly high pressure from the crop pest this growing season.

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Soybean seedling damaged by pillbugs

Pillbugs Causing Injury to Soybean Crops in Nebraska

May 23, 2024
Management of pillbugs is challenging. While some insecticides and planting strategies may help control pillbug populations, producers should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each approach.

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Closeup of pesticide application on wheat field
For concerns regarding the use of chlorpyrifos on crops during the 2024 growing season, producers should contact their local extension educator for assistance.

Current Use of Chlorpyrifos and Food Tolerances

May 9, 2024
Nebraska Extension educators share guidance on the use of chlorpyrifos products on food and feed crops in the U.S.

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Army cutworm larvae in a hand

Army Cutworm Scouting Urged in Western Nebraska Wheat and Alfalfa

March 6, 2024
With recent warm weather, army cutworms have been spotted in southern Sioux County and central Lincoln County. Producers should begin scouting for this pest to mitigate crop damage, particularly in winter wheat and alfalfa.

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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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