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Integrated pest management : article

A problem with patches

Discover how improper fertilizing and watering can worsen lawn diseases like brown patch and large patch, and learn effective prevention strategies.

Asian ladybugs can be beneficial predator on other insects

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Asian lady beetles, or ladybugs, may seem like a nuisance as they seek warmth in your home, but they can be helpful as predators on other insects.

Asian needle ant could reach Missouri in 2025

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missourians should be on the lookout for the Asian needle ant during its population peak in July and August, says Emily Althoff, urban entomologist for University of Missouri and Lincoln University Extension.

Atrazine has a huge impact on Missouri economy

COLUMBIA, Mo.–Atrazine, presently used on more than 85 percent of the corn acres in Missouri, is considered one of the most effective and least costly herbicides in use. University of Missouri Extension is helping farmers and communities manage atrazine runoff so the herbicide remains available.

Be on guard for older soil-borne and look-alike soybean diseases

Farmers faced challenges during the 2023 drought as soybean diseases like sudden death syndrome, red crown rot, and charcoal rot exhibited similar symptoms.

Be on lookout for stink bugs in soybean in 2025

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri soybean farmers should be on the lookout for several species of stink bugs in 2025, says University of Missouri Extension state crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida.

Cereal rye as a cover crop can reduce waterhemp

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Cereal rye as a cover crop may reduce waterhemp populations without yield loss in soybean, according to a three-year study at the University of Missouri.

Check ash trees for emerald ash borer

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The invasive emerald ash borer may eliminate the ash tree from North America. In Missouri, EAB is present in 89 counties and the city of St. Louis.

Combating common pests of cucumbers, melons and squash

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Cucurbitaceae is one of the most cultivated plant families in the world. From this family come watermelon, cantaloupe, casaba, honeydew, muskmelon, cucumber, summer and winter squash, and pumpkins, to name a few.

Cool gardening tips for hot days

JACKSON, Mo. – Both gardeners and their plants need extra care when it’s hot outside, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Donna Aufdenberg.She reminds gardeners to take care of themselves first so they can tend to gardens and flowerbeds.

Dung beetles do the dirty work

Dung beetles enhance pastures by recycling nutrients, improving soil, and controlling pests.

Early appearance of alfalfa weevils prompts need to scout

JACKSON, Mo. – The warmer weather has prompted alfalfa weevil larvae to start feeding early, which means growers should be scouting the crop. Anthony Ohmes, University of Missouri Extension agronomy field specialist, says now through April is the time to walk alfalfa fields to look for larvae…

Economics of drone ownership for agricultural spraying

COLUMBIA, Mo. – As the 2025 growing season approaches, many growers will consider using drones to spray their fields.

Expect high numbers of Japanese beetles this year

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Japanese beetle populations are peaking throughout the state just as corn is silking, says University of Missouri Extension field crops entomologist Kevin Rice.Japanese beetles cause severe economic losses on farms and disappointment in home gardens.

First case of red crown rot confirmed in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish reports confirmation of red crown rot, a yield-robbing soybean disease, in Marion County in northeastern Missouri.

First reports of Japanese beetles received in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management reports the capture of its first Japanese beetles of the season, says MU Extension crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida.

Garden critters: 'Frenemies' in grow places

COLUMBIA, Mo.

Glufosinate-resistant Palmer amaranth found in Missouri Bootheel

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension researchers have confirmed the first case of glufosinate-resistant Palmer amaranth in Missouri’s Bootheel region.Palmer amaranth has been MU Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley’s No. 1 weed to watch in the rest of the state for years.

Grant aims to share pest management information with more diverse audience

The University of Missouri’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to strengthen its reach to diverse clientele with sustainable pest management practices.

Japanese beetle numbers increasing in corn, soybean

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri corn and soybean growers are reporting growing numbers of Japanese beetles in crops in recent weeks, says University of Missouri Extension state entomologist Ivair Valmorbida.

Kochia found in NW Missouri soybean fields

Kochia, a highly competitive weed that can reduce yields by as much as 70%, has been found in northwestern Missouri soybean fields. Kochia is not new to Missouri, but this may be the first report of kochia showing up in cropland.

Look for signs of corn leafhoppers in 2025

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension state crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida expects that growers will see corn leafhoppers again in 2025.

Mizzou Weed Science shares Seed Terminator research

Mizzou Weed Science's research shows the Seed Terminator attachment pulverizes 93.2% of waterhemp seeds entering the combine, aiding in weed control.

MU Extension guide looks at corn leafhopper

COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new University of Missouri Extension publication offers corn growers help in identifying Missouri’s newest corn pest, the corn leafhopper.

MU Extension launches Crop & Pest text alert system

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farmers have a new tool to alert them to insects, crop diseases and other important information from University of Missouri Extension specialists.

MU Extension offers alerts for key insect pests

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri’s Pest Monitoring Network offers free text alerts to notify farmers when insects are active in specific locations, says MU Extension entomologist Kevin Rice.

MU Extension offers Wednesday town hall meetings online for farmers, gardeners

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is offering online town hall meetings led by agronomy, livestock and horticulture specialists.

MU Extension: Do not plant seeds you did not order

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension horticulturists are asking the public to report unsolicited seed deliveries.

MU IPM issues pest alerts for black cutworm, true armyworm

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management has issued its first pest alerts of the growing season.

MU pesticide safety program vital to state's ag economy

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Sam Polly, coordinator of University of Missouri Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program, wants to make Missouri a safer place that allows Missouri’s agricultural economy to continue to grow.

MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic offers digital sample submission

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic now offers a digital diagnosis service to quickly identify plant health problems.

MU researcher finds pigweed in birdseed and pollinator mixes

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri researchers, under the direction of MU Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley, are finding that pigweed seed is popping up in birdseed in alarming numbers. “It’s pretty shocking,” graduate student Eric Oseland told those attending the annual Integrated Pest…

MU studies how varieties, seed treatments reduce SCN

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Soybean growers can’t rely on seed treatments alone to combat soybean cyst nematode (SCN), says University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish.

MU Weed Science confirms HPPD-resistant waterhemp

COLUMBIA, Mo. – There is still time to manage resistance to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides in corn this year, but the window is shortening, according to University of Missouri Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley.

New regulations make weed management more complex in 2023

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Producers should prepare for more complexity in herbicide requirements and registrations in 2023 and beyond, says University of Missouri Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley.

New soybean pest found in Missouri

MU Extension state crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida has confirmed the presence of a new soybean pest in Missouri, soybean tentiform leafminer. Valmorbida encourages farmers to scout soybean fields for the pest.

Off-target herbicide movement: What you see is not what you get

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Off-target herbicides may be invisible, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.Off-target herbicides damage crops, ornamentals and other vegetation in nearby fields when droplets move off of the soil or intended plants and onto nontarget plants, says University of Missouri Plant…

On patrol for critter control

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Pest control in the garden might conjure images of a season-long battle with bugs, weeds and diseases. But sometimes four-legged “friends” such as deer, rabbits and squirrels can inflict far more damage, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.

Ounce of prevention in fall is best medicine for garden success in spring

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ben Franklin’s adage of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could be gardeners’ theme song for November.

Palmer amaranth invades about 5 more Missouri counties each year

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth are easily confused.They are like ugly distant cousins at a family reunion. They look alike until you see them side by side. Their differences become apparent upon closer examination.Palmer amaranth is the bigger bully of the two. It takes over fields,…

Plan to kill toxic perilla mint this spring or summer

Perilla mint is a toxic plant that can harm livestock. To control it, apply broadleaf herbicides between April and June before seed set

Prevent peach leaf curl

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Leaf curl is a troublesome disease of peach, nectarine and related plants. "Leaf curl is worse when the weather is cool and wet," said Lala Kumar, University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. Leaves infected with the fungus Taphrina deformans become thickened,…

Prune oak trees this winter to avoid oak wilt

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The leaves are down, winter is upon us, and that means it’s prime time for pruning oak trees, which can be infected by the oak wilt fungus if they’re pruned during the high-risk period mid-March through mid-July.

Red crown rot appears in two more Missouri counties

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists confirmed red crown rot (RCR) in soybean fields in Maries and Phelps counties in early August, says University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish. RCR can cause yield losses of up to 80% in affected areas.

Scout crops early and often for best results

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Though physically demanding and time-consuming, scouting fields for insect pests is essential to crop health, yields and profits, says University of Missouri Extension state entomologist Ivair Valmorbida.

Scout crops now for corn leafhopper

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists are urging Missouri growers to scout corn crops for corn leafhopper. It was first confirmed in southwestern Missouri in Christian County in 2024 and in Lawrence and Boone counties on the week of July 7, 2025, says MU Extension state…

Scout deep into fields for tar spot

Good scouting is the best way to identify tar spot in corn, says University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish. Tar spot was confirmed in June of 2023 and 2024 in Missouri, which is earlier than in previous years, when the disease showed up in August or September. This earlier…

Sign up now for 2025 crop pest alerts

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Pest Monitoring Network offers free, timely pest alerts to farmers and gardeners, says MU Extension crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida.

Soybean disease not usually seen in state shows in NW Missouri

Note: Revised to correct spelling of “sclerotinia.” COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Wayne Flanary says about 160 acres of soybean in northwestern Missouri show symptoms of sclerotinia stem rot.

Spotted lanternfly knocking at Missouri's door

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists say the spotted lanternfly (SLF) might appear in Missouri this summer. MU Extension and Lincoln University urban entomologist Emily Althoff says SLF recently was found in Illinois. “It’s knocking at our door,” says Althoff.

Start running fans in grain bins

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Raise the temperature and run fans in grain bins now to avoid condensation and mold.Keep your stored grain in condition by increasing the temperature inside the bin to the outside monthly average temperature in May, says University of Missouri Extension entomologist Wayne Bailey.

Stink bugs try to find warm home for the winter

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Brown marmorated stink bugs are hunting homes for the winter.

Tar spot growing in Missouri corn crops

COLUMBIA, Mo. – A yield-robbing corn disease, tar spot, is gaining ground in Missouri. Tar spot has been confirmed in 19 counties in 2024, says University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Mandy Bish. Corn growers in nearly half of the state’s counties have reported tar spot since Missouri’s…

Twilight tour covers pest, disease control for small farmers

University of Missouri and Lincoln University Extension will offer a workshop on holistic strategies to manage pests and disease on vegetables and fruit crops 6-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, at EarthDance Organic Teaching Farm, 233 S. Dade Ave., Ferguson.

Two weeds to watch in pastures, hayfields in 2024

Knotroot foxtail and fountain grass are spreading in Missouri pastures, reducing forage quality and proving difficult to control.

Waterhemp control requires change in mindset

COLUMBIA, Mo.– In the war between waterhemp and producers, waterhemp is winning, says a University of Missouri Extension state weed scientist.

Weed electrocution research sparks interest as herbicide resistance impedes current methods

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Move over, herbicides. There’s a new sheriff in town. And he’s toting some powerful guns loaded with electricity to kill weeds. This shocking new method of weed control was demonstrated at the 2021 Pest Management Field Day at the University of Missouri Bradford Research Center…
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