Items by Raul Villanueva
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.
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
