Insect development has been delayed in Nebraska due to below average temperatures; however, with temperatures climbing and alfalfa greening up, it is time to begin scouting for alfalfa weevils and the accompanying feeding damage. Temperatures and conditions in southern Nebraska indicate that some feeding may be visible as tiny pinholes on the leaves of the upper part of the stem.

I reported recently on stunted and yellow alfalfa plants that were being reported in Berks, Dauphin and Lancaster counties (see pictures). Samples were sent to Dr. Deborah Samac, USDA-ARS alfalfa pathologist, in St Paul, Minnesota, and I received back a report that the culprit is "Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris" or more commonly known as “Witches-broom phytoplasma.”

Some years it’s difficult to find decent haymaking weather. Sunny, hot, dry and breezy – that’s the prescription for good haymaking, along with using practices that can help the process.

This article describes some common pests and options for their control.

Aphids • Description: The sugarcane aphid is a pale lemon-yellow color and prefers pangolagrass. The greenbug is pale green with a dark green stripe on its back.

This key is designed to serve as a guide to identification of the more typical larvae of some of the common insect species found in many alfalfa fields during the mid-to-late season. A 10-power to 15-power hand lens will be most helpful in using this key.

As you prepare for the hay and forage harvesting season, there are many simple activities that you can do to reduce production costs according to Scott Sanford, University of Wisconsin-Extension senior outreach specialist.

Potato leafhoppers have the potential to hurt alfalfa every year. This is generally a second-cutting and third-cutting pest and has been more common recently. These small (one-eighth-inch long), bright green, wedge-shaped insects may cause severe damage to alfalfa by injecting a toxin into the plant as they feed. This feeding results in a distinctive yellow or purple triangle shape at the tip of the leaf.