Bruce Potter

@SWMNpest

Retired University of Minnesota IPM and professional scapegoat. Still exploring biology of agricultural and wild landscapes.

Lamberton, Minnesota & SW MN Joined October 2012

98 Following 1.4K Followers 1.5K Posts

Latest posts 5

Bruce Potter @SWMNpest Aug 31

Some late season SCN issues in SW MN. Stem Canker above ground, SCN infested roots below. Betting these plants flashed tops yellow a few weeks ago.

Check your SCN resistance source.

Bruce Potter @SWMNpest Aug 5

Good year for painted lady and sulphur butterflies in southern MN

0:03

Bruce Potter @SWMNpest Jul 29

Drought-stressed crops may have some two-spotted spider mite populations building & with much crop development left.
UMN Extension has info on mite mgmnt in soybean. blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2026/07/hot-dr…
Fungal disease can control these mites if we see a cooler, wetter pattern develop.

Bruce Potter @SWMNpest Jul 18

Just drove through a very large number of painted lady butterflies in eastern Lyon Co. MN. Might want to watch soybeans later. Current excellent vegetative growth can tolerater more larvae reducing risk.

Bruce Potter @SWMNpest Jul 12

Last couple days in early pollinating corn have been brutal. Brown Co. MN low NCLB in sudceot hybrids. Only bacterial blight in soybean. Way early for foliar fungicide or crw.