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
- Fleahoppers to Flowers
Howdy, I spent the week still looking for fleahoppers and other plant bugs in cotton, but I did see my first flower this week. There's been a couple different species of plant bugs in cotton than I usually see, so feel free to contact me if you have something unusual you would like an ID on. I've heard of [...] read more3 days ago - Emerald ash borer in Denton
High risk zones for emerald ash borer based on known locations where the borers are established. May 2020. Circles show the areas within 15 miles of known EAB infestations; any ash trees of value within these circles should be treated this [...] read more1 week ago - FleahoppersHowdy, I spent the week still looking for fleahoppers and other plant bugs in cotton. There's been a couple different species of plant bugs in cotton than I usually see, so feel free to contact me if you have something unusual you would like an ID on. I've heard of some verde plant bugs popping up as well. There [...] read more1 week ago
- Grain Sorghum Across the Board
Sorghum fields range in maturity from 4-5 leaf to bloom. This is the result of planting across 5-6 weeks. As a result of this we need to be on the lookout for a wide variety of insect pests. Headed sorghum should be checked for stink bugs and headworms. Scout for these pests using a small bucket, beating the heads into [...] read more2 weeks ago - Thrips and Fleahoppers in Some Cotton Fields
This week while scouting cotton fields in Calhoun, Refugio, and Victoria Counties, we have found thrips, cotton fleahopper, and aphids.
Photo by S. Biles A few young cotton fields have thrips above economic levels of 1-2 per true leaf. This is not a comment I am fond of making because, I rarely think of thrips [...] read more2 weeks ago - FleahoppersHowdy, This week I've been looking for fleahoppers and other plant bugs in cotton. There's been a couple different species of plant bugs in cotton than I usually see, so feel free to contact me if you have something unusual you would like an ID on. I've heard of some verde plant bugs popping up as well. I have [...] read more2 weeks ago
- Giant hornets genuinely frightening
The Asian giant hornet has recently been spotted close to the Canadian border in Washington state. Photo courtesy Washington State Department of Agriculture. Last year’s quiet arrival of a foreign wasp known as the Asian giant hornet is no longer a secret outside of Washington state. Within the past few days, all the major TV networks have broadcast [...] read more3 weeks ago - “Murder” Hornets? Not in Texas!
I'm very much cringing at the term "Murder Hornet" that has been sensationalized all over the media lately. It's akin to calling Africanized Bees, Killer Bees and invokes so many misunderstandings and unneeded panic.First, the Giant Asian Hornet, Vespa mandarinia, is NOT IN TEXAS. And they are not "invading" the United States. They were first found in late 2019 on [...] read more3 weeks ago - Fleahoppers and Hail
Hail Damaged CottonPhoto: Ben Crumley Howdy, I hope everyone around got the rain they needed this week, and hope you get it soon if not. I know a few places got hail along with our much needed rainfall. If you did get hail, if the growth point wasn't damaged the cotton will very likely bounce back. If you've got stand [...] read more3 weeks ago - Fly Season is Coming! – Stable Flies
Part 1 of "Fly Season is Coming!" (or for many, is here), there could be no other fly worthy of being first than the stable fly. Not only is it the FIRST biting fly to emerge for the year (or if you live in the south, stay active all year) it is also a nasty biter that will take advantage [...] read more4 weeks ago
Mosquitos
- Where has West Nile virus gone?
After last week’s rains, now’s a good time to walk your property and dump any standing water (gutters, flower pots, wheel barrows, bird baths, etc.). This year’s mosquito numbers are up, but disease incidence is low. If it seems you’re hearing less about West Nile virus (WNV) this summer, you are [...] read more10 months ago - Guyana Farm Visits Day 3: Holy Fruits Batman!
Last Thursday, we visited a few farms in remote locations, referred to as “the bush” by the locals. Completely off the grid; using rain-water as their water supply, no need for electricity or using diesel generators when needed, fruits and vegetables everywhere, and the forest is your toilet. There are lots of mosquitoes in the forest… and monkeys… but let’s [...] read more11 months ago - Guyana Farm Visits – Day 1
Today was the first day of visiting farms as a part of my time here in Guyana for the Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer program. The Journey We drove to region 6, which is far down south along the coast for a total of about 3 hours commute time in each direction. Throughout the whole drive, Guyana felt like just a very large [...] read more11 months ago
