Alfalfa Weevil, Black Grass Bug Management Strategies Focus of Powell, Sheridan Workshops

Alfalfa weevil and black grass bug integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and research are topics of free workshops in Powell and Sheridan in November.

The Powell workshop is Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 2-4 p.m. at the Powell Research and Extension Center, 747 Road 9. The Sheridan workshop is Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 2-4 p.m. at the Sheridan Research and Extension Center, 3401 Coffeen Ave.

Alfalfa weevil is the most economically damaging insect to alfalfa grown for hay in the Intermountain region, says Blake Hauptman, a University of Wyoming Extension educator based in Crook County.

Knowing how to monitor them, and when to start a management strategy before populations reach an economic threshold, is critical, he says. Improper management can lead to ineffective pesticide applications and a waste of dollars.

Jeremiah Vardiman, a UW Extension educator based in Park County, will present research and information on alfalfa weevil development and control. 

Black grass bugs can cause significant damage to western range grasses, primarily to pastures reseeded to introduce wheatgrasses, Hauptman says.

Scott Schell, a UW Extension entomologist, will discuss impacts and IPM strategies for the pest. 

“Pastures with wheatgrass varieties are common in Wyoming and provide substantial amounts of forage for livestock, so it is critical to recognize if black grass bugs are causing considerable damage to your forage resource,” Hauptman says.

For more information on the Powell workshop, call Vardiman at (307) 754-8836 or email jvardima@uwyo.edu. For more information on the Sheridan workshop, call Hauptman at (307) 283-1192 or email bhauptma@uwyo.edu.