PEKIN, Ill. (AP) - Farmers are seeing more insects than normal for this time of year because of warmer weather.
The early hatch of insects could be welcome news for agriculture because there will be less for insects to eat.
Tazewell County Farm Bureau Manager Doug Godke says the early hatch could mean insects die off without enough food. Certain types of beetles can eat foliage on soybeans and the silk on corn plants resulting in poor harvests.
Godke says most farmers are planting insect-resistant crops, which also helps keep insect populations in check.