Justin McMechan - Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist

cutworm caterpillar

Scout Emerging Corn for Insects; Don’t Assume Protection

May 22, 2023
As corn begins to emerge, be alert to the potential for damage from early season insects such as cutworms, wireworms and white grubs.

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cutworm moth

Cutworm Pheromone Trapping Network Update

April 23, 2020
Pheromone traps have been established at several locations in eastern Nebraska to monitor for several spring migrants to Nebraska; black cutworm, variegated cutworm and true armyworm moths. Find the latest report here.

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soybean gall midge larvae

Soybean Gall Midge Roundtable Meeting Set for Mar. 2

February 7, 2020
Come and join us from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Monday, March 2nd, at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center (1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE) for the latest information on this newly emerging soybean pest.

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Process for sampling soybean leaves to assess defoliation

Management of Defoliating Insects in Nebraska Soybeans

January 16, 2020
Many defoliating insects may be found in Nebraska soybeans. Estimating defoliation levels in fields is the best way to decide whether it will pay to treat for these insects.

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Five-state map showing counties with confirmed infestations of soybean gall midge

Mid-Season Update on Soybean Gall Midge

August 7, 2019
Soybean gall midge infestations have been confirmed in six new Nebraska counties since 2018.Treatment is not recommended at this time, but scouting and reporting infestations will continue to be important to plan for management next year.

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Tweet from Justin McMechan on scouting for soybean gall midge

Extension Crop and Pest Reports (July 29 - Aug. 2)

August 1, 2019
Crop reports from Extension Educators and specialists from across the state, including videos and Tweets.

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Adult differential grasshopper

Grasshoppers Return ― It’s Time to Scout Field Borders

July 14, 2022
If the grasshopper species currently invading field borders are one of the four major species that are likely to infest cropland, control may be warranted if high numbers are present.

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Counties documented as infested in 2018 (red) and 2019 (orange).
Figure 2. Counties documented as infested in 2018 (red) and 2019 (orange).

Soybean Gall Midge Adults Emerge from this Year’s Soybean Fields

July 17, 2019
A significant number of soybean gall midge adults have been collected from this year’s soybean fields in east-central and northeast Nebraska. Dead and dying plants have been observed near infested sites in both northeast and east central Nebraska.

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