Each year, Indiana crop scouts focus on a wide range of crop pests – above and below ground, feeding on roots, shoots, grain and patchily distributed around the state.
255 articles tagged "Insects".
As many of you know, our statewide moth pheromone trapping network is not active this year.
Multi-state study examines whether AI and satellite-guided scouting and recommendations can improve yields and profits.
Reports from eastern Indiana and Ohio suggest indicate some recent impressive black cutworm pheromone trap catches, reminding us that it is time to start thinking about this pest in certain situations.
Although we are in a cool weather period and many crops have not yet been planted, alfalfa weevil are active and feeding. Pest managers throughout the state should be watching for this pest and preparing to treat if necessary. They are highly cold tolerant, so these cool nights will not slow them down. As I wrote here about a month ago, rotating insecticides is highly recommended as well as doing a post-spray survey (i.e. Did it work? Are the larvae dead?). Even varying the pyrethroid of choice is better than doing the same thing every year. There are also non-pyrethroid options for control of this pest. See the alfalfa weevil management recommendations, here. Producers can manage this pest most effectively by utilizing heat unit accumulations data (base 48°F) to determine when sampling should begin and when an action should be taken. The map below, current as of May 1, 2026,[Read More…]
Pest managers in southern Indiana should begin scouting their alfalfa for leaf feeding from weevil larva as soon as possible.
If you are involved with alfalfa production, you may recall some spring-time discussions and newsletter articles earlier this year about alfalfa weevil and the potential issue of resistance.
The 2026 Crop Management Workshops are scheduled for January 28 and 29, 2026.
Most likely you have seen some darkly colored moths flying around farms, homes, and yards, especially to lights at night.
About a month ago, we published an article asking readers for input on what pests they were seeing and what levels of economic damage may be out there in corn and soybean fields.
