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
- Chase Martin
Chase Martin joined the Texas A&M Agrilife family after graduating from the University of North Texas with a B.S. Biology Degree in 2018. Chase has been involved in research with crapemyrtle bark scale since 2019, working under the supervision of the now-retired Dr. Mike Merchant, Extension Specialist at the Dallas Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center. After Dr. Merchant’s [...] read more17 hours ago - Grace LevyGrace Levy joined the Six-Legged Aggie Team in May of 2021. She graduated with a B.S. in Biology in 2018 and graduated with a M.S. in Entomology and Plant Pathology in 2020. As part of her Master’s research, she studied types of host plant resistance in wheat against bird cherry-oat aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi). Grace is now involved in the crapemyrtle [...] read more17 hours ago
- Fleahoppers and BollwormsHowdy,This week most of our cotton is blooming. We are nearing the end of fleahoppers in cotton, and will very rarely need to treat for them once fields are blooming. I've seen a lot of sprayers going out as our fields dry out. The drier weather is a good opportunity to make herbicide applications.Cotton Flower in Matagorda CountyKate CrumleyOur cotton [...] read more4 days ago
- Rain and FleahoppersHowdy,This week we've been dodging rain while scouting, all of our crops could use a little drier weather. Our cotton is exhibiting some nitrogen deficiency symptoms since it's been so wet, and the waterlogged conditions have delayed plant maturity. I have received a few questions on PGR considerations with our recent rainfall as well. The best approach with our current [...] read more2 weeks ago
- Midge in Grain Sorghum
Sorghum Midge (Stephen Biles) Grain sorghum fields range in maturity from nearing bloom to soft dough and all of these fields need to be scouted frequently. Blooming sorghum is susceptible to sorghum midge and field scouts are finding more midge in the fields this week. Scout sorghum fields 2-3 times per [...] read more2 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 weeks ago - Muddy Fields and Fleahoppers
Howdy,This week was muddy and our mosquitos are out in force. We're still hoping for drier weather here. Our cotton is exhibiting some nitrogen deficiency symptoms since it's been so wet the past couple of weeks. Waterlogged conditions can also delay plant maturity. For more information check out this website. I have received a few questions on PGR considerations with [...] read more3 weeks ago - Stink Bugs in Grain Sorghum
Rice Stink Bug The Stink Bug is a primary insect pest of grain sorghum from bloom until hard dough. The insect feeds directly on the seed, reducing seed weight and yield. The most common stink bug in grain sorghum of the Mid-Coast is the Rice Stink Bug. Scout sorghum after bloom [...] read more3 weeks ago - Rain and Square Loss
Scouting fields this week we are finding each field is different from the next. Much of this has to do with how the rain affected the field. If the water got off the field or did not stand for too many days, the crop was better off.
Square loss Fields that held [...] read more3 weeks ago - Rainfall and FleahoppersHowdy,This week was muddy. The places I check in Jackson and Matagorda county received up to 14 inches of rainfall this week, and Wharton county received up to 8. I am hoping for drier weather soon.Cotton Field in Wharton CountyKate CrumleyI did not see many insect pests this week. Thrips are still out there if you have younger cotton, and [...] read more4 weeks ago
Mosquitos
- Dr. Samuel VezeneghoDr. 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 more4 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 more9 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 more9 months ago