Resources

Crop Scouting Educational Resources | Integrated Pest Management
A compendium of current crop scouting resources for the State of Iowa and the larger North Central region. Included in these resources are videos, images, lessons, field guides and more.
The Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program is pleased to present the tenth annual Crop Scouting Competition for Iowa Youth. Middle school and high school students (those completing grades 7-12) from Iowa are invited to compete and showcase crop scouting abilities in corn and soybean. The competition will be a one day event focusing on outdoor learning.
Welcome to Class Agricultural Educators Podcast
“Welcome to Class:” Agriculture Educators Podcast is available for agriculture professionals to receive tips and information, discuss best teaching practices, and review resources that are available from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. This podcast is written and hosted by Carli Erickson, Crop Science Youth Education Coordinator for the Integrated Pest Management Program at Iowa State University.
Best Management Practices for Corn Rootworm
NCGA and ABSTC have developed recommendations for growers on best management practices for rootworm control.
A Farmer's Guide to Soybean Diseases
A Farmer's Guide to Soybean Diseases provides an overview of the soybean diseases that currently occur in the United states and Canada, with an emphasis on diagnosing diseases in the field. Information for each disease includes symptoms and signs, conditions that favor disease, similar looking diseases and disorders, and a review of basic management options. The book also contains a diagnostic key and disease distribution maps. Published by APS Press, A Farmer's Guide to Soybean Diseases was developed by Iowa State University in partnership with several other universities. CSI
A Farmer's Guide to Corn Diseases
A Farmer's Guide to Corn Diseases provides an overview of the corn diseases that currently occur in the United states and Canada, with an emphasis on diagnosing diseases in the field. Information for each disease includes symptoms and signs, conditions that favor disease, similar looking diseases and disorders, and a review of basic management options. The book also contains a diagnostic key and disease distribution maps. Published by APS Press, A Farmer's Guide to Corn Diseases was developed by Iowa State University in partnership with several other universities. CSI
Corn and Soybean Field Guide
This 236-page pocket-sized guide (3-3/4" x 6") combines corn and soybean integrated pest management information in one publication for ease of use by corn and soybean farmers, agronomists, and crop scouts. Newly updated text and images provide the tools for identifying insects, diseases, and disorders of corn and soybean in the Midwest. The guide also contains information on developmental stages, pesticide decisions, and other production-related topics.
Corn Diseases
This booklet will help corn producers and other professionals in the agriculture industry identify corn diseases and provide general recommendations for disease management.
Field Extension and Education Laboratory
The Field Extension Education Laboratory, (FEEL) is a teaching and demonstration facility dedicated to providing a hands-on learning experience for crop production professionals. This facility is used for demonstration projects that augment a variety of educational programs held throughout the summer months.
Field Crop Insects
Field Crop Insects contains descriptions and images of more than 50 pest and beneficial insects, as well as information on insect life cycle, crop injury, scouting and management options. There is also information on integrated pest management including scouting, degree days, and a defoliation estimation guide. This guide covers corn, soybean, and alfalfa insect pests.
The North Central IPM Center works to ensure coordination of efforts and resources to enhance IPM development and adoption for production agriculture, natural resources, recreational environments, and residential and public sites.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach helps carry Iowa State’s land-grant mission beyond campus, to be the university that best serves its state. Our core purpose is to engage citizens through research‐based educational programs, increasing the ability of Iowans to make informed decisions by applying relevant, needs‐driven resources, to create significant impact in our state. ISU Extension and Outreach is focused on feeding people, keeping them healthy, helping their communities to prosper and thrive, and turning the world over to the next generation better than we found it.
The Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University provides research-based educational programs in a variety of agronomic areas to support producers and agri-business professionals. Faculty and staff build the body of scientific knowledge including basic molecular-level discovery, field-oriented applied projects, and development of agricultural systems. The ultimate objective within the Department of Agronomy is to make crop production more efficient, more productive, and economically and environmentally sustainable.
Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology
The Iowa State University Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology is known for responsiveness, excellence, training students for leadership roles and developing innovative and practical solutions to insect-based challenges in public health and agriculture.
Extension publications about Crops IPM available through the ISU Extension Distribution Center.
Horticulture & Home Pest News is filled with articles on current horticulture, plant care, pest management, and common household pests written by Iowa State University Extension specialists in the Departments of Entomology, Horticulture and Plant Pathology.
The Pest Management and the Environment (PME) program provides educational information throughout Iowa on the safe use of pesticides. The PME program is responsible for Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). Other programs that PME is involved in include worker protection, water quality, and agricultural health.
Western Corn Rootworm   The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (shown above) and the northern corn rootworm, Diabrotica barberi Smith and Lawrence, are both important pests of corn in the Midwest.  We study various tools for integrated pest management of rootworm.
Iowa State Weed Science Online
A collection of useful references for weed management in Iowa.
There a number of resources that can be used to help prepare students for the Crop Scouting Competition. Some of these resources include the field guides produced by ISU's IPM Program. Also, here is a 14-part IPM curriculum covering a variety of topics that complement the field guides.
Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic Sample Submission Form
The Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic provides diagnosis of plant problems (plant diseases, insect damage, and assessment of herbicide damage) and the identification of insects and weeds from the field, garden, and home. The PIDC is a joint effort between Iowa State University Extension Plant Pathology, Entomology, Horticulture, and Agronomy. Download and use this form when submitting a plant problem or for insect identification.
Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)
The goal of the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) program is to provide educational information throughout Iowa on the safe use of pesticides. The PSEP program is responsible for Pesticide Applicator Training in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). Other programs that PSEP is involved in include integrated pest management, worker protection, water quality, and agricultural health.
School IPM programs help schools provide healthy learning environments by decreasing unnecessary or illegal pesticide use, decreasing asthma triggers (cockroach and rodent allergens, dust mites, and fungal spores), and decreasing pest occurrence and outbreaks. School IPM programs focus on pest identification, pest monitoring, prevention, education, and ecologically-based management techniques. Since its inception in 2000, school IPM programs have been documented as cost-effective and long-lasting, when compared to traditional pest control programs.
Horticulture and Home: Lawn and Garden News
Horticulture & Home Pest News is filled with articles on current horticulture, plant care, pest management, and common household pests written by Iowa State University Extension specialists in the Departments of Entomology, Horticulture and Plant Pathology.
Be a Bug Catcher
This newly produced booklet is designed as an introduction to collecting, identifying, and preserving insects for youth. Chapters cover insect anatomy and biology, collecting supplies and preservation techniques, a diagnostic key to help with identification, and other information.