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Good news, bad news on overwintering pests

Harsh winters can reduce pest pressure during the growing season.

University of Minnesota Extension pest management specialist Bruce Potter says unfortunately snow cover and milder temperatures in his state have helped insects overwinter.

“Things like corn rootworm, probably soybean gall midge (both) doing exceptionally well under the snow. Soybean aphids are doing just fine, bean leaf beetles are doing just fine.”

But he tells Brownfield stretches of bitter cold in the southern U.S. should be beneficial.

“Into Texas and that sort of thing, so I’m hoping that we maybe dinged up some of those migratory insects like armyworm and black cutworm a little bit and lessened some of the risk there.”

Potter recommends scouting for pests before and during spring fieldwork.