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Extension Entomology

Month: April 2025

Announcing the Insect Farming Initiative

Posted on by Department of Entomology
Poultry eating bugs from cupped hands.

By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service

More information: Insect Farming Initiative, entomology@ksu.edu

Related: Insect Farming Initiative

Could efforts to raise and breed insects – crickets, mealworms, black soldier flies and the like – help to feed the world?

Kansas State University entomologist Brian McCornack thinks they can, so much so that he’s part of a group that is raising awareness about the value of insect farming, the Insect Farming Initiative (IFI).  The initiative will officially begin in November 2025.

Continue reading “Announcing the Insect Farming Initiative” →

Tick, Tick, Tick: Warm weather creates opportunity for blood-sucking parasite

Posted on by Department of Entomology
questing tick

By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service

More information: Cassandra Olds, colds@ksu.edu

Related: Ticks in Kansas

‘Tis the season for warmer temperatures, getting outdoors and playing in green, grassy fields – all fun, but also conditions that favor a blood-sucking parasite that preys on humans, pets and livestock.

Due to the early warming weather, Kansas State University entomologist Cassandra Olds said ticks have already been found around Manhattan in mid-March.

Continue reading “Tick, Tick, Tick: Warm weather creates opportunity for blood-sucking parasite” →

Chiggers in Kansas: Avoid the itch

Posted on by Department of Entomology
Life cycle of the chigger from eggs to adult.

By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service

More information: Raymond Cloyd, 785-532-4750, rcloyd@ksu.edu

Related: Chiggers in Kansas

Warmer days may lead many to itch for spring and summer, but a Kansas State University entomologist cautions against a small mite that is likely to give you a less-pleasing seasonal itch.

Chiggers are active beginning in April, says K-State’s Raymond Cloyd, and are usually found in areas with unmanaged vegetation, as well as parks, golf courses, sports fields and other grassy areas. The larvae attach themselves to humans, pets and other animals. Continue reading “Chiggers in Kansas: Avoid the itch” →

Grazing and Greener Pastures: Managing Horse Pastures 101

Posted on by Department of Entomology

More information: Cassandra Olds

Are your horse pastures lacking ‘bounce’? Do you struggle to understand how to best manage grass while grazing horses? Join us for a fun afternoon of instruction and demonstrations on pasture and grazing management for horses, while also learning best strategies for fly control, Plant ID, and more with K-State and NRCS Specialists.

The event will take place on Friday, May 9, 2025 10:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. at 1041 North 800th Road, Baldwin City, KS 66006.

For registration, event schedule, speaker info and more, visit the registration sign up link (https://bit.ly/4cKrx2D).

Cassandra Olds will be at the event speaking on “Getting the Upper-hand on Fly Control.” She is a veterinary entomologist who focuses on understanding and mitigating the impact of arthropod pests and associated diseases. Her research in horses has focused on understanding and measuring fly aversion behaviors and evaluating fly control strategies. Her extension program focuses on helping producers and owners develop sound integrated pest management programs.

Updated Kansas Crop Insect Pest Management for 2025

Posted on by Department of Entomology
A stack of some of the Insect Pest Management guides

We regularly update the Insect Pest Management guides to help producers manage insect populations for a variety of crops. Inside each guide is the best available methods proven to be practical under Kansas conditions. We have updated guides for wheat, alfalfa, sunflower, cotton, corn, sorghum and soybean.

Continue reading “Updated Kansas Crop Insect Pest Management for 2025” →