UW Extension Releases New Mobile App for Pest Identification

University of Wyoming Extension recently released a new software application that can be used to identify Wyoming plant diseases and pests.

The mobile app, called Wyoming Crop Pests, is available for both Android and Apple devices and can be found in app stores by searching for “Wyoming Crop Pests.” Scott Schell, UW Extension entomologist, developed the tool to help amateur home gardeners and producers identify plant diseases and pests.

The Wyoming Crop Pests app contains information about common pests of vegetables grown in Wyoming. Users select a crop and types of damage based on both pictures and short descriptions. Once users have used the interactive key to narrow down the kinds of pests that may be causing the damage they are seeing, they can explore links explaining the best ways to manage those pests.

To develop the app, Schell tapped into resources from other land-grant universities to share links to current, well-researched information about each pest. The app also contains links to the “Wyoming Vegetable and Fruit Growing Guide,” a free publication from UW Extension that provides comprehensive information about how to garden successfully in Wyoming conditions. While the app currently focuses on vegetable pests, Schell may eventually add information about fruit pests as well.

Schell emphasizes that, if users are not sure whether what they are seeing on their plants matches what they are seeing in the app, they should contact their local extension offices.

“This is a tool that gives people some independence, but I also want them to know where they can reach out for more information and help on pest issues,” Schell says. “I’m always happy to look at pictures of bugs.”

He sees the new tool as an opportunity to reach younger audiences who may not know about UW Extension services.

Schell also aimed to make the app accessible to users who may be less comfortable with technology.

“I find it kind of ironic that a guy like me was involved in making an app,” Schell says. “There’s probably a lot more verbiage explaining how to use it than most apps. For a lot of people my age, these apps aren’t intuitive.”

For more information about the app or Wyoming crop pests, email Schell at sschell@uwyo.edu or call (307) 766-2508.

About University of Wyoming Extension

Since 1914, UW Extension has provided lifelong learning opportunities to Wyoming people across the state. With roots in agricultural education, UW Extension supports rural communities facing contemporary challenges and changes. UW Extension brings the university’s resources to each of the state’s 23 counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation. To learn more about UW Extension, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwe or call (307) 766-5124.