Listen to Agriculture Today’s Episode 2004 where crop entomologist, Jeff Whitworth shares recent concerns with armyworms across crops in Kansas.
Related: Armyworms: Kansas Crop Pests
Agriculture Today is a daily program from K-State Research and Extension 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.
Kansas State University Research and Extension Bookstore recently released three new and updated publications to assist growers and gardeners. The publications cover topics ranging from agricultural pests to new wheat varieties and are available for download.
The new Kansas Wheat Variety Guide (MF991), authored by Kelsey Andersen Onofre and others, is an annually updated resource for selecting wheat varieties. The 2025 guide features new variety profiles and additional information on varieties with herbicide-tolerance traits, providing a valuable tool for farmers making planting decisions.
In addition to the wheat guide, two new publications by Raymond A. Cloyd address common insect-related issues in landscapes and gardens. The guide titled Lace Bugs: Insect Pests of Horticultural Plants (MF3703) offers detailed information on the biology, damage, and management of lace bugs, which are known to feed on a variety of horticultural plants.
The second publication, Cicada Killer (MF3704), focuses on the solitary wasp known as the cicada killer. The guide provides insights into the insect’s biology and behavior, as well as management strategies for those dealing with them in their yards or gardens.
All three publications are available for free download from the K-State Research and Extension Bookstore website.
MANHATTAN, Kan. — While wasps often get a bad reputation during summer picnics and yard work, not all are out to sting. In fact, many wasps are considered beneficial insects, helping to manage pest populations in gardens, fields and around the home, according to Kansas State University entomologist Jeff Whitworth.
“There are many different types of wasps in Kansas, but generally we group them into four main categories,” Whitworth said. “Two are social species that live in colonies, and two are solitary. All of them have their place in our ecosystem.”
Whitworth explained that the two species, often called paper wasps, build nests that resemble gray paper. Some species nest above ground, while others build their homes in the soil. These wasps often become noticeable during yardwork or when lifting hay bales or rocks.
“These wasps are usually non-aggressive,” Whitworth said. “If you disturb the nest, especially the underground kind, they’ll defend it just like a honeybee colony would.”
Unlike honey bees, which can sting only once, wasps can sting multiple times. Whitworth said that’s because female wasps don’t lose their stinger after using it.
“The female wasps are the hunters,” he said. “They sting caterpillars, grasshoppers or crickets to paralyze them and bring them back to their nest to feed their young. That’s why we consider them beneficial; they’re natural predators of many garden pests.”
Solitary wasps, like mud daubers, also help manage insect populations.
“They build, fill and seal the nest, then move on. They don’t come back to check on it and they rarely bother people.”
Whitworth said most wasps are harmless when left alone. However, there are times when you may need to remove a nest.
“Whether it’s a paper nest under an eave or a burrow in the ground, you’ll have better success treating the site at night,” he said. “Many common household insecticides are labeled for wasps, and the goal is to eliminate the nest when the wasps are home.”
Even outdoor events can draw a wasp’s attention, especially those attracted to sugar.
“They’re drawn to anything with sugar,” Whitworth said. “If you’re having a picnic, keep those things (containing sugar) covered or contained. “
Ultimately, Whitworth emphasized that most of the time wasps are more misunderstood than menacing.
“They’re not out to get you,” he said. “They’re just doing their jobs. Unless disturbed, most of them won’t bother you. They’re doing a service by helping control other pests.”
More information on controlling wasps around the home is available in the July 22 segment of the weekday K-State podcast, Agriculture Today.
More information: Jeff Whitworth, jwhitwor@ksu.edu
Related: Agriculture Today | Household Pests of Kansas
By Chevy-Lynn Vaske, K-State Research and Extension news service
Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, can damage several important Kansas crops as well as pasture, turf and home landscaping and is currently being reported across the state in various crops and pasture scenarios. The first fall armyworm flight into Kansas occurred during the first week of July in south central parts of the state and trap counts of adult moths continued to increase in those areas through July while moths also started showing up in the central and northeast part of the state in notable numbers. There were scattered and treatable infestations of caterpillars in these areas during that timeframe. During this first two weeks of August, fall armyworm moths are noticeable statewide. Trap counts of moths are increasing dramatically in south central areas and reports of significant infestations in the central and eastern parts of the state have been reported.
Given these recent trap observations and reports of caterpillar outbreaks, scouting should continue until the first frost of the season for at risk crops and pasture. It is critical to scout often and treat, if needed, when the caterpillars are less than a half inch long. Larger caterpillars are harder to control and do the most damage. Recommended thresholds and products labeled for control of fall armyworm caterpillars (Table 1) can be found below.
Fall Armyworm Thresholds
Alfalfa: 1-2 caterpillars per square foot can destroy seedling alfalfa. 10-15 per square foot can destroy 12” tall plants.
Corn: damage to whorl stage in early summer is typically not a concern and will not impact yield. Bt corn may prevent ear damage.
Sorghum: damage to whorl stage in early summer is typically not a concern. 1-2 larvae/head during flowering to soft dough reduces yield 5-10%.
Wheat: Larval “window-paning” in early planted wheat can be a concern. Very late second generation fall armyworm will be the biggest concern for wheat. If 25-30% of plants show damage, examine field frequently. Treat at 2-3 active larvae/ft.
Pasture/Brome: If damage is notable or there is window-paning, treatment may be warranted with 4 to 5 caterpillars per square foot.
You can read more about fall armyworm in turfgrass here.
| Chemical Name | Trade Name | Mode of Action Class | Alfalfa | Corn | Sorghum | Wheat | Grass Forage/Hay |
| alpha-cypermethrin | Fastac CS | 3A | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| beta-cyfluthrin | Baythroid XL | 3A | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| bifenthrin | numerous products | 3A | yes | yes | |||
| biological insecticide | Fawligen | – | yes | ||||
| carbaryl | Sevin | 1A | yes | yes | |||
| chlorantraniliprole | Vantacore | 28 | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| cyfluthrin | Tombstone | 3A | yes | yes | yes | ||
| deltamethrin | Delta Gold | 3A | yes | yes | |||
| gamma-cyhalothrin | Proaxis | 3A | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| indoxacarb | Steward EC | 22A | yes | ||||
| lambda-cyhalothrin+chlorantraniliprole | Besiege | 3A+28 | yes | yes | yes | ||
| lambda-cyhalothrin | numerous products | 3A | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| methomyl | Lannate | 1A | yes | yes | yes | yes* | |
| methoxyfenozide | Intrepid 2F | 18 | yes | ||||
| permethrin | numerous products | 3A | yes | ||||
| spinosad | Blackhawk | 5 | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| zeta-cypermethrin | Mustang MAXX | 3A | yes | yes | yes | yes | |
| zeta-cypermethrin+bifenthrin | Hero | 3A | yes |
Table 1. Registered products for the control of fall armyworm in Kansas crops. For more specific information relative to any insecticide, always refer to the actual label on the product. *for use only in bermudagrass pasture
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas cotton fields are entering the critical squaring phase, so Kansas State University agronomist Logan Simon and entomologist Anthony Zukoff say timely scouting will be essential to protect yield potential.
“Overall, Kansas cotton acres are down this year like most of the US cotton belt and the cotton we have is generally behind in development compared to normal,” Simon said. “Although south-central Kansas had severe storm damage that hurt the cotton down there, many were able to hold on pretty good.”
As cotton enters this key reproductive stage, as evidenced by early formation of flower buds, K-State Extension entomologist Anthony Zukoff shared the importance of monitoring for cotton fleahoppers and tarnished plant bugs, also known as lygus bugs.
“These two insects can be very detrimental to overall yield so it’s important to keep an eye out for them now,” Zukoff said.
“They are very excitable, so they can be tricky to scout for. We recommend using a drop cloth or sweep net method to determine if these insects are in the field,” Zukoff said. “Depending on the method, the threshold will be different, so we recommend using our cotton insect management guide to determine if the insect count is over that threshold.”
The cotton flea hopper is about 1/8 of an inch and lime green color, while the lygus bug is about twice the size and a tan color. Zukoff noted that control options are available if populations reach economic thresholds.
“If they do reach that threshold, all is not lost,” he said. “Producers can save their fields if they take action quickly. The important thing is to be proactive rather than reactive; get out there right now and scout.”
“The early and first position squares are the most important fruiting positions on a cotton plant as they will contribute the most to the final yield,” Simon said. “Once the plant matures, those insects will not be as much of a problem for later squares.”
Zukoff and Simon also advised corn growers to be scouting for western bean cutworm.
“The western bean cutworm is a pest of corn, specifically corn ears as they tassel,” Zukoff said.
“Western bean cutworm overwinters in the soil as pupa, and this time of year adult moths will be emerging from those pupae and laying eggs. Those eggs hatch and caterpillars make their way to the tasseling corn fields,” Zukoff said. “Once the pest gets to the field, it will eat developing kernels and cut the silks on its way up, which makes it detrimental to final yields and developing crops.”
For more information, read the K-State agronomy newsletter at www.eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu.
By Madeline Drake, K-State Research and Extension News Service