Insect Management

Painted lady butterfly and caterpillar

Large Populations of Painted Lady Butterflies

January 8, 2018
In 2017 large populations of painted lady butterflies were seen across the state, raising concerns about whether the larvae form (thistle caterpillars) of this insect would cause damage to soybean fields. An article from the Proceedings of the 2018 Nebraska Extension Crop Production Clinics.

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Insect light trap

Insect Light Trap Data Available for 3 Sites

June 6, 2018
UNL Extension Entomology is monitoring crop insect pests (primarily moths) using black light traps at the Haskell Ag Laboratory near Concord, the South Central Ag Laboratory near Clay Center, and the West Central Research and Extension Center near North Platte.

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Wheat stem sawfly video screen capture

Wheat Stem Sawfly Numbers Up in the Panhandle

June 6, 2018
Video: Populations of wheat stem sawflies, a serious pest of wheat in western Nebraska, are at high numbers this year. Surveys are underway in wheat fields, grasslands and pastures to evaluate grass hosts for the pest and its parasitoids.

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Painted lady caterpillar

Northeast Nebraska Insect Pest Update

January 8, 2018
Part of the 2018 Crop Production Clinic Proceedings, this article reviews insects to expect in northeast Nebraska crops and links to resources on management.

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wireworm

Scout Emerging Corn for Insects; Don't Take Protection for Granted

May 16, 2018
As corn begins to emerge, be alert to the potential for damage from early season insects such as cutworms, wireworms, white grubs or wheat stem maggot. Seed treatments provide some protection, but can be overwhelmed in some circumstances, allowing losses.

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Life cycle of the black grass bug in western Nebraska

Scouting Recommended in Wheatgrass for Black Grass Bugs

April 27, 2018
In western Nebraska when wheatgrass, especially crested wheatgrass, starts growing, it’s time to begin monitoring for black grass bugs. Feeding damage caused by these insects can substantially reduce wheatgrass forage production.

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Cover crop field with mixed-species plantings
Later season field of cover crops in southeastern Nebraska. (Photo by Paul Jasa)

Timing of Cover Crop Termination and Related Factors

April 20, 2018
Should the cold spring delay cover crop termination? Growers walk a fine line between growing cover crops long enough to get the biomass they want without reducing yield in the following grain crop. This discussion from an agronomist, entomologist and weed scientist looks at various factors to consider.

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Western bean cutworm larvae on an ear of corn

Efficacy of Foliar Insecticide Treatments for Western Bean Cutworm in Corn

April 11, 2018
Researchers report on three years of field research in west central Nebraska where 4-14 insecticide treatments were tested under irrigated conditions.

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