Adam Varenhorst

Title

Associate Professor/Extension Specialist-Field Crop Entomologist

Office Building

Berg Agricultural Hall

Office

226

Mailing Address

Berg Agricultural Hall 226
Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science-2100A
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007

Biography

Dr. Adam Varenhorst is an associate professor and Extension field crop entomologist in the Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Department at South Dakota State University. Dr. Varenhorst is the director of the South Dakota Integrated Pest Management Program (SDIPM) and manages the Field Crop Entomology Lab. The research focuses of the research conducted by the Field Crop Entomology Lab is to evaluate integrated pest management strategies, manage insecticide resistance and evaluate the impact of management strategies on beneficial insects. The research conducted by Dr. Varenhorst addresses insect pests of corn, soybean, wheat, sunflower, alfalfa and other minor agronomic crops present in South Dakota.

As the primary or co-author, Dr. Varenhorst has published 51 scientific papers and 18 book chapters. Dr. Varenhorst has authored or co-authored over 600 extension articles, 88 pest management guide chapters, 13 fact sheets and 22 insect identification guides for South Dakota stakeholders. He is also a member of the Graduate Student Faculty and serves on committees outside of the Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Department.

Social Media Links

Education

Ph.D. in entomology | Iowa State University | 2015
M.S. in entomology | Iowa State University | 2011
B.S. in biology | Briar Cliff University | 2009

Academic Interests

Insect ecology
Integrated pest management
Field crop entomology
Biodiversity and ecosystems services

Academic Responsibilities

Director of IPM
Supervisor to IPM coordinator and IPM specialist
Advisor to graduate students in the Field Crop Entomology Lab
Conduct research related to insect pest management on corn, soybean, what, sunflower alfalfa and field peas

Committees and Professional Memberships

Committee Activities

Graduate Faculty Representative on four graduate student committees at South Dakota State University
Committee Member for students in the Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science Department

Professional Memberships

Entomological Society of America
National Association of County Agricultural Agents

Extension Responsibilities

Address insect pest issues in field crops.
Conduct applied research focused on corn, soybean, wheat, alfalfa and sunflower insect pests.
Collaborate with other extension entomologists and entomologists in other states to address questions pertaining to insect in the home and garden, urban insect pests and general entomology.
Development of insect related identification guides, fact sheets and timely electronic articles.
Identification of insects related to field crops.
Provide insect pest information and insecticide safety content for the commercial applicator trainings held throughout South Dakota.

Awards and Honors

2022 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Communication Award for Book/Publication: Best Management Practices for Sunflower Production
2021 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Communication Award: South Dakota Achievement Award
2020 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Communication Award: Newsletter by a Team National Winner: SDSU Pest and Crop Newsletter
2020 National Association of the County Agricultural Agents Communication Award: Newsletter by a Team Regional Winner: SDSU Pest and Crop Newsletter
2020 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Communication Award: Audio Recording Regional Winner: Radio Interview
2020 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Communication Award: Published Photo Regional Winner
2020 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Communication Award: Fact Sheet Regional Winner
2020 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Communication Award: Fact Sheet Regional Winner
2019 Gamma Sigma Delta Extension Award
2018 Corteva Agriscience Agriculture Division of Dow DuPont IPM Team Award
2018 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Communication Award: Newsletter by a Team Regional Winner: SDSU Pest and Crop Newsletter.
2018 Orville and Enolia Bentley Undergraduate Research Award, student: Madeline St. Claire
2017 International IPM Award of Excellence: Soybean Entomology for North Central
2017 Soybean Research Project
2017 National Association of County Agricultural Agents Communication Award: Newsletter by a Team: Pest and Crop Newsletter
2016 Griffith Undergraduate Research Award, Student: Mackenzie Mattern
2015 Iowa State University Teaching Excellence Award

Grants

Total Competitive Grant Funding: 43 funded grants for a combined $8,366,659.

Areas of Research

Insect pest management
Insect ecology
Insect resistance management

Department(s)

Image for Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science
Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science
Image for SDSU Extension
SDSU Extension