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Season 12 of the soybean pest podcast starts off with a bang, a hot, dry bang.  The midwestern drought is affecting all of us, even the 6-legged.

\nCheck the UNL drought monitor for the current status (hint, its bleak: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?IA)

\nWe talk spider mites, cause its hot and dry.

\nErin discusses the remarkable pests outbreaks occurring in alfalfa, exacerbated by a mild winter and hot, dry spring.

\nMatt turns our attention to Japanese beetles (JB), and the duo speculate about the impact weather has on their abundance. Erin notes a trend of JB larvae in the interior of cropfields, not just the edges. (https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2021/06/japanese-beetle-ad\u2026)

\nErin notes the first appearance of soybean gall midges in northeaster Iowa. Matt notes some progress in detecting insecticide resistant aphids.

\nRootworms are also discussed as we note egg hatch, signaled with the appearance of lightening bugs.

\nFinally, Erin takes might to school with reports of the Hackberry emperor. Its a pretty butterfly, definitely not a thistle caterpillar and notorious for being a cheater (https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/blog/erin-hodgson/have-you-seen-che\u2026)

\nTo wrap up- Erin gives updates on her live events and we note the 26 June is pollinator fest at Reiman gardens (https://www.reimangardens.com/event/pollinator-fest-7/)

\nAlso, did we mention its hot and dry?

\nStay tuned for weekly updates now that the field season is in full gear.