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Extension Entomology

Category: Sunflower

Trying to Find Protection from Dectes Stem Borer

Posted on by Department of Entomology
Two dectes stem borer on soybean leaf.

Listen to Episode 2078 of Agriculture Today where K-State crop entomologist Dr. Jeff Whitworth explains if there are any seed varieties that are best for dectes stem borer protection, which is a question he has recently been receiving.

Agriculture Today is a daily program hosted by K‑State Extension, a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Service, and distributed to radio stations throughout the state and region. K-State agricultural specialists and other experts examine agricultural issues facing Kansas and the nation.

For more information: Jeff Whitworth, 785-565-2371, jwhitwor@ksu.edu

Related:

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” →

Grasshoppers

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Jeff Whitworth — Field Crops

As noted before, grasshoppers seem to be really numerous this year throughout northcentral Kansas. We have seen, or heard about, more grasshopper-riddled fields (see pic 1) then we have maybe in the last 15-20 years. The species responsible for most of the crop damage is the common, relatively large, yellow, differential grasshopper (see pic 2). These grasshoppers are still feeding a little, but are also moving to grassy/weedy/undisturbed areas where they are depositing eggs in the soil. These eggs will then hatch next spring and the young nymphs can start feeding on any nearby crops.

Picture 1: Grasshopper riddled field (pic by Cayden Wyckoff)

Picture 2: Differential grasshopper (pic by Cayden Wyckoff)

 

 

Beneficial’s

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth — Field Crops

Beneficial’s continue to be very active throughout all crop fields in the eastern half of Kansas (please see fig 4–pink spotted lady beetle depositing eggs, 15 July). Thus, the practice of just adding an insecticide into any tank mix with fungicides and /or herbicides “just in case” is NOT recommended. Please ensure any targeted pest meets, or is close to, a treatment threshold before utilizing an insecticide application.

Figure 4. Pink Spotted Lady Beetle depositing eggs (pic by Kaysie Morris)

Soldier Beetles

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth

Have had several inquiries regarding soldier beetles (please see fig 3 provided by Kaysie Morris). These beetles are quite common throughout Kansas and most commonly noticed in late summer as the adults are highly mobile, relatively large, and are very active searching for and feeding on pollen. Thus, they can be very common on any crop, or weed, that is pollinating, especially sunflowers, sorghum, and cucurbits such as cantaloupes and watermelons. Soldier beetles are often mistaken for blister beetles because of their size and shape but are not in the same taxonomic family and thus, produce no cantharidin, the chemical that causes external blisters in humans and other problems in livestock when ingested. However, soldier beetles are harmless.

Figure 3 soldier beetle