Our extension entomologists are active bloggers. Go to our resources page to see a full list of our members blogs, or see below for an aggregated feed of our blogs.
General
- Sugarcane aphid is here, fall armyworm higher than normal, spider mites on the doorstepIt has been a fairly quiet summer so far in corn and sorghum, but that seems to be changing now. Independent crop consultants reported finding sugarcane aphid colonies in sorghum in southern Hale County earlier in the week, and we had no trouble finding them at the Halfway Experiment Station today. I also found them at the Lubbock Research and [...] read more4 days ago
- Heat Units and Stink BugsHowdy,This week most of our cotton is bloomed out or around 2-5 nodes above white flower (NAWF), and our later replanted cotton is blooming. We are at and past cutout in most places, other than the later replanted cotton. Cutout occurs when carbohydrate supply equals demand, and vegetative growth ceases. When the plant reaches cutout, no more harvestable fruit is set. [...] read more4 days ago
- Stink Bugs, Heat Units, and Fall ArmywormsHowdy,I am still looking for rice stink bugs in any crop, we need three more collection locations of those. Give me a call if you have high populations of those in a field or in field margins, and I'll come get them. I've also been recording and editing weekly audio updates with Dr. David Kerns, Tyler Mays, and Dr. David [...] read more1 week ago
- About those seed treatments …. A really good and balanced articleWe live in a time of fake news; coverage designed to mislead and advocate one viewpoint. No, I don't need any scientific citations to back this claim up; we all know it is true. I'm writing tonight to bring a very balanced and well-referenced article to your attention, one that deals with the benefits and downsides of the seed treatments [...] read more2 weeks ago
- Cotton fleahoppers in South Plains cottonThere have been several reports of treatable levels of cotton fleahoppers in cotton. Herbicide applications and destruction of weed hosts is likely behind increased fleahopper activity in cotton at some locations. Cotton fleahoppers can cause substantial square loss if present in sufficient numbers especially during the first three weeks of squaring. They are much smaller in size than the lygus [...] read more2 weeks ago
- Cotton Near CutoutMuch of our cotton fields are at or near cutout. The fields we have been in this week range from 2-6 nodes above white flower (NAWF). Keep in mind the time for a white bloom to mature into an open boll is around 50 days. We are finding bollworms in non-Bt and 2-gene Bt cotton such as Bollgard 2 and [...] read more2 weeks ago
- Stink Bugs and RainHowdy,I am currently looking for high numbers of rice stink bug in sorghum (even in fields past where they can cause damage), as well as populations of sugarcane aphids to collect. If you've got a field with either of those, please give me a call or send me an email. I've also been recording and editing weekly audio updates with [...] read more3 weeks ago
- ‘Bugs by the Yard’ and ‘Unwanted Guests’ cover Texas insects and pests
Check out the pollinator gardening Bugs by the Year podcast These two bug-based podcasts launched by Texas A&M AgriLife experts allows you to learn on the “fly” by enjoying a podcast on your time schedule. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts have launched two new podcast series: “Bugs [...] read more3 weeks ago - Rain, Bollworms, and Stink BugsHowdy,I am currently looking for high numbers of rice stink bug in sorghum (even in fields past where they can cause damage), as well as populations of sugarcane aphids to collect. If you've got a field with either of those, please give me a call or send me an email. I've also been recording and editing weekly audio updates with [...] read more3 weeks ago
- Fascinating facts about wasps, hornets: How to get along with these beneficial bugs
Paper wasps tending to their nest inside a barn. Note the abandoned paper nest and remnant outline of a mud dauber structure nearby. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Adam Russell) Murder hornets may make the headlines because of their frightening name, but they are not in Texas. So, let’s [...] read more4 weeks ago
Mosquitos
- ‘Bugs by the Yard’ and ‘Unwanted Guests’ cover Texas insects and pestsCheck out the pollinator gardening Bugs by the Year podcast These two bug-based podcasts launched by Texas A&M AgriLife experts allows you to learn on the “fly” by enjoying a podcast on your time schedule. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts have launched two new podcast series: “Bugs [...] read more3 weeks ago
- Mosquito populations booming after rains: Three varieties to worry about, control and repel
Biting mosquitoes like this Aedes variety prefer different breeding sites and are active at different times throughout a day. That familiar buzz and bite are signs that mosquito season in Texas is here, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife entomologist. Sonja Swiger, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension [...] read more2 months ago - Dr. Samuel Vezenegho
Dr. Samuel Vezenegho is has been added as an invaluable member of the SixLegged Aggie Team. He earned his PhD in Medical Entomology and a Master of Science with distinction in Molecular Cell Biology, from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. During this time, he focused on the systematics and insecticide resistance mechanisms in African malaria mosquito vectors. Dr. [...] read more5 months ago - 2020 Fall IPM Virtual Conference
Erfan Vafaie and Becky Grubbs Bowling make up the AgriLife Team of Green Aggies, they will share their knowledge with you are our Fall IPM seminar For anyone who needs structural or ag CEU credits in turf and ornamental pest management, 2020 Fall IPM Conference [...] read more10 months ago - Dr. Mike Merchant Retires After 30+ Years with Extension
Dr. Merchant discussing caterpillar control during an IPM class The Department of Entomology and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service celebrated the retirement of a longtime professor and Extension Entomologist during a virtual celebration held on August 7. Merchant, a Professor and Extension Entomologist in Dallas, will be retiring on August 31. He [...] read more10 months ago