Items: Insect Pests
Corn Leafhopper Detected in Kentucky Corn in 2025
By Felipe Batista,
Kiersten Wise,
and Raul Villanueva
Published on Aug. 15, 2025
Current Status
Damage by Pillbugs on Soybean Seedlings under Laboratory Conditions
By Raul Villanueva
Published on Aug. 15, 2025
Pillbugs, or roly-polies, are land-dwelling crustaceans—not insects. They are commonly found in moist environments with decaying organic matter and are generally considered decomposers. However, under favorable conditions, pillbugs can sometimes feed on live plant tissue, particularly during the early growth stages of crops like soybeans.
Beware of Slugs Outbreaks in Soybeans & Corn in Kentucky
By Raul Villanueva
Published on Jun. 9, 2025
During the last three weeks of May 2025, Western, Central, and Northern Kentucky experienced intense rainfall, high relative humidity, moist soils, low nighttime temperatures, and cloudy mornings. These environmental conditions are highly favorable for slug development in corn and soybean fields.
Pyrethroid Resistance in Fall Armyworm in KY Wheat: Prevention & Management
By Felipe Batista and Raul Villanueva
Published on May. 19, 2025
In October 2024, we received a report of a fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) outbreak in a wheat field in Daviess County, western Kentucky (Figure 1). After visiting the field, we collected 82 live caterpillars after the application of a pyrethroid insecticide.
Sevenspotted Lady Beetle Population Surged During First Week of May 2025
By Raul Villanueva
Published on May. 15, 2025
One lady beetle species may have increased due to the abundance of aphids in wheat. This personal observation is based on my visits to wheat fields in western Kentucky.
Late-season management tips for winter wheat
Published on May. 12, 2025
By Jennifer Elwell. Sources: Chad Lee, Travis Legleiter, Raul Villanueva, and Carl Bradley May is the prime time to scout and take action for wheat for diseases, insects and weeds.
Aphids Landing on Small Cereals a Little Bit Late to Cause Major Concerns
By Raul Villanueva
Published on May. 1, 2025
From January until mid-April, the entomology program for small cereals in Princeton monitored aphid populations in wheat planted on four different dates (from mid-September to December 1, 2024). Aphids were largely absent during this period. However, from mid-March to mid-April, an average of fewer than two aphids per 1-foot-row was recorded.
Abundance of the Silver-Spotted Skipper in Soybeans in Kentucky in 2024
By Felipe Batista and Raul Villanueva
Published on Jan. 22, 2025
Background and Description of Silver-spotted skipper
