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
- Green June Bugs On the HorizonThis weekend, I spotted my first mating swarm of Green June Bugs and it is about that time of year when these guys stump outdoor lovers with their loud flying and buzzing close to the ground.Sometimes people think they are bumblebees or wasps because of the buzzing sound their wings produce. In flight, they do somewhat appear to be bumblebee [...] read more5 days ago
- 30 Bugs Every Gardener Should Know30 Bugs Every Gardener Should KnowJoin me at the San Antonio Botanical Garden for a program hosted by SAWS! I'll be covering the top 30 insects and relatives I think you'll be encountering this late summer/early fall. The good, the bad, and the ones that are "just there". We look at some preserved specimens (so much better than just looking at [...] read more2 weeks ago
- Harvest and DefoliationHowdy,We are harvesting cotton, and I am happy to see module trucks rolling and gins running.The 6 and 11 days after treatment (DAT) ratings for the cotton harvest aid study for Wharton, Texas are below. The initial treatment was made on August 20, and the second on September 2, 2021. The cotton harvest aid study for this site was conducted on [...] read more2 weeks ago
- Become a Beekeeper! Beekeeping 101REGISTER HERE!This is an online, live four part course. All sessions will be recorded! An in person field day, inside the hives will also be offered for those local or willing to travel to San Antonio. var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-13075353-1"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); [...] read more3 weeks ago
- Cotton Harvest Aid Trial and DefoliationHowdy,I've included the 6 days after treatment (DAT) ratings for the cotton harvest aid study that was treated on August 20, 2021 in Wharton, Texas. Ratings for 6 DAT were taken on August 26, 2021, prior to the second treatment. Ratings were taken again 11 days after the initial treatment, I will add those as soon as results are available. The [...] read more3 weeks ago
- Harvest Aid TestA cotton Defoliation Demo was sprayed last Monday (8/23) with a second application made Today (8/30). The demo is located in Victoria County on Kainer Rd. Just north of Raven Rd. Drop by and take a look when you get the chance. Treatments are as follows: [...] read more4 weeks ago
- 6 DAT 2021 Cotton Harvest Aid Trial ResultsSpraying the 2021 Defoliation TestKate CrumleyHowdy,I've included the 6 days after treatment (DAT) ratings for the cotton harvest aid study that was treated on August 20, 2021 in Wharton, Texas. Ratings for 6 DAT were taken on August 26, 2021, prior to the second treatment. Ratings will be taken again at 12 days after the initial treatment. The cotton harvest [...] read more4 weeks ago
- White Fluff Floating in the AirIn the past several weeks, you may have been noticing white fluff floating in the air. Maybe you are finding it on your plants. But most certainly, you are wondering what it is. These are wooly aphids - a species of aphid that grows a white waxy coating on their body. Like all aphids, there are forms that can fly [...] read more4 weeks ago
- Be on the lookout for armyworms
A true armyworm adult hiding in thatch layer of lawn Be on the alert for fall armyworms this fall. Higher-than-normal populations of this lawn-eating insect have been reported from many areas in Texas this past summer and we have started to see them in San Antonio and Austin areas. While [...] read more4 weeks ago - DefoliationOpen CottonKate CrumleyHowdy,Our season is rapidly wrapping up, most of the grain is out of the field, and I've seen some soybeans harvested. We've started defoliating and picking cotton as well.Defoliation is usually recommended at over 60% open bolls, or 4 nodes above cracked boll. We have a defoliation trial set up this year, I will add the results for [...] read more1 month ago
Mosquitos
- Bugged by Bugs we want to hear from you.Has this year had you bugged by bugs? Like many of you even those of us who work in entomology, pest control, school maintenance, or live somewhere in Texas you have seen your fair share of insect pests this year. If you have seen more pests around your home and you have treated for those pesky pests, we would [...] read more2 months 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 months 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 more4 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 more7 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 more1 year 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 more1 year ago