Evaluation of a Leatherjacket, A New Pest of Alfalfa

Abstract – Villanueva The motivation for this project was the discovery of a new pest in alfalfa, a larva of a crane fly (Diptera: Tipulidae) (Fig. 1, Villanueva, unpublished), that was found causing severe damage to alfalfa in Kentucky in 2020 and 2021 to damage alfalfa, although first reports were heard in 2019. This new pest represents a common challenge in pest management in which new pests are found, but effective management reaction is limited by a lack of (1) identification tools and (2) biological and ecological information. In this project, we will provide initial management guidance toward this tipulid pest in alfalfa across Kentucky and neighboring states and providing identification tools on the insect and damages to assist producers, extension agents, consultants, the alfalfa industry to efficiently identifying this emergent pest in North America.