Bugs by the Yard

The new world screwworm has been in the news A LOT lately. This episode we're joined by Dr. Sonja Swiger to discuss what you need to know to protect yourselves, companion animals, and livestock.

Resources:

https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm

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Music by Owen DesBles

Green lacewing larvae are voracious predators and can be very beneficial in helping to manage other insects in the garden and landscape. This episode, we discuss how to identify green lacewings in their various stages and talk about why you want them around.

https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/green-lacewing/

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Music by Owen DesBles

Wizzie and Molly interview colleague Stephen Biles of the Texas Midcoast area.

Email - biles-sp@tamu.edu

Blog/Newsletter - midcoastipm.blogspot.com

Pasture Mealybug Information - http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/pasture-mealybug/

Legume crops are beans and peas, but also many wildflower species (think bluebonnets!).

Learn the other insects you may find on your legume crops, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating!

Fall Vegetable Planting Guide: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/fall-vegetable-gardening-guide/01t4x000004OfitAAC

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Music by Owen DesBles

Texans love to grow crops in the nightshade family - Solanaceous Crops. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Learn what insects typically plague them!

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Music by Owen DesBles

Squash vine borers can be a major pain for gardeners. There isn't much you can do about them, but here are some suggestions.

Mentioned during the podcast, Kaolin Clay:

https://youtu.be/ZfmAm74Of6o?si=xBsj35HdAd8KGk8v

https://youtu.be/plsFdgvvc8s?si=UYtKXscyxJA4DQU0

https://youtu.be/V_oU5U9rSlU?si=daI8B6XTblqNzzSS

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

Music by Owen DesBles

Cucurbit crops are those veggies in the Cucurbitaceae family, or gourd family. This family includes squash, zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelon, other melons and others.

Learn the insects you may find on your cucurbits, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating!

Cucurbit insects from Aggie Horticulture

https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/problem-solvers/cucurbit-problem-solver/cucurbit-insects/

Fall Vegetable Planting Guide: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/fall-vegetable-gardening-guide/01t4x000004OfitAAC

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Music by Owen DesBles

Cole crops are those veggies in the Brassica family - mustards, cabbage, broccoli, kale, lettuce, cauliflower and others.

They are generally grown during cooler weather and can have a number of insect issues. Learn the other insects you may find on your cole crops, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating!

Fall Vegetable Planting Guide: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/fall-vegetable-gardening-guide/01t4x000004OfitAAC

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Music by Owen DesBles

Cole crops are those veggies in the Brassica family - mustards, cabbage, broccoli, kale, lettuce, cauliflower and others.

They are generally grown during cooler weather and can have a number of insect issues. Learn the common caterpillars you may find on your cole crops, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating!0

Fall Vegetable Planting Guide: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/fall-vegetable-gardening-guide/01t4x000004OfitAAC

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Music by Owen DesBles

With our final episode of 2025, we talk about ideas for stocking stuffers for the bug lover in your life. Links below are provided as a springboard for ideas, not as an endorsement for any particular product.

Jeweler's loupe

https://rb.gy/9ue88a

Insect collecting containers

https://shorturl.at/GLbro

https://shorturl.at/iCSle

Craig Tracy Art

https://www.craigtracy.com/

Quick Reference Publishing Guides

https://www.quickreferencepublishing.com/

Insect Lego

https://shorturl.at/Sp6OP

Did you ever wonder where insects go in the winter? Or maybe you've wondered if we have a freeze if there will be no insects in the spring. This episode will discuss insect overwintering strategies as well as ways that you can help the insects in your yard.

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Music by Owen DesBles

Insects display an array of sociality - from totally solitary to truly social. This episode dives into the differences in sociality.

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Music by Owen DesBles

Trapdoor spiders are a common, yet little known spider common to areas in Texas.

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Music by Owen DesBles

It's October and that means we pull out the weird and wonderful- well, more weird than usual?- critters for conversation. This episode is all about whipscorpions, also known as vinegaroons.

https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/vinegaroon/

https://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/north-american-vinegaroon-species

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Music by Owen DesBles

Prepare your home for boxelder bugs....find out what they are, why they may be a problem, and what to do to avoid or get rid of them.

https://www-aes.tamu.edu/files/2014/06/Boxelder-Bugs-and-Red-Shouldered-Bugs.pdf

https://agrilife.org/urban-ipm/2016/01/25/boxelder-bugs/

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Music by Owen DesBles

Conditions are right for a fall armyworm outbreak this fall. You may be on of the unlucky to see them! Learn what they are what you can do about them.

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Music by Owen DesBles

Yucca moths depend on yucca as for for their young, but yucca also depend on yucca moths for pollination. We'll talk about the mutualistic relationship.

https://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2011/apr/scout3/

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Music by Owen DesBles

There are a surprising number of night pollinators. This episode discusses the main moth pollinators that come out at night.

It's the time of year where the lawn may not be looking the best in Texas, often brown patchy spots can appear. This episode we break down what may be some causes of brown patchy turf and what you can do to diagnose and resolve the problem.

Proper mowing practices - https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/mowing-recommendations-for-warmseason-turfgrasses/01t4x000004OUiyAAG

Fertilizing - https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/lawn-fertilization-for-texas-warmseason-grasses/01t4x000004OUgfAAG

Chinch bugs - https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/chinch-bug-management-in-lawns/01t4x000004OUUwAAO

White grubs - https://agrilifelearn.ta...

A common question we get is, "what is making those holes in my lawn??" While you may never know, learn what could potentially being making holes in the yard.

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Music by Owen DesBles

Ever notice that certain years or times of the year insects don't seem to be around and wonder "where are all the bugs?". You aren't the only one. Hear a conversation from the hosts on how they answer that question and where all the insects have gone!

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Music by Owen DesBles

Do you know the difference between a June beetle and a Junebug? Listen in to find out what constitutes a June beetle.

Publication on white grubs (includes management)

https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/white-grubs-in-texas-turfgrass/01t4x000004OUUZAA4

Bugs by the Yard Turf pests episodes 1 & 2

https://bugs-by-the-yard.captivate.fm/search

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Music by Owen DesBles

This episode covers how honey bees collect honey, why, and how a beekeeper extracts it for our pleasure!

Beekeeping 101 Course - https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/beekeeping-101/01t4x000002ciQPAAY

Beekeeping Factsheets - http://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/global-search/beekeeping?c__results_layout_state=%7B%7D

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Music by Owen DesBles

Wondering what that insect may be on your succulent plant? This episode will cover common ones seen in Texas.

Cochineal scale episode

https://bugs-by-the-yard.captivate.fm/episode/cochineal-scales

Pest of cacti publication

https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/Managing-insect-pests-of-cacti-B6215.pdf

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Music by Owen DesBles

It's spring which means that termites are swarming. This episode covers common termites that can be associated with structures: native subterranean termites, formosan subterranean termites, and drywood termites.

AgriLife Publications on termites can be found here:

https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/global-search/termite?c__results_layout_state=%7B%22page_number%22%3A1%2C%22refinements%22%3A%5B%7B%22nameOrId%22%3A%22Product_Type__c%22%2C%22type%22%3A%22DistinctValue%22%2C%22attributeType%22%3A%22Custom%22%2C%22values%22%3A%5B%22Publications%22%5D%7D%5D%7D

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

Music by Owen DesBles

Fire ants can be a real nuisance. Learn how to `best manage them in your yard.

Meet out new IPM Specialist in El Paso, Jonathan Consford. He is tasked with pecans, cotton, and anything else that comes his way!

Contact information for Jonathan

https://entomology.tamu.edu/people/consford-jonathan/

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Music by Owen DesBles

Do you know the differences between centipedes and millipedes? While both are beneficial animals, they are beneficial in different ways. Learn how to tell these two groups apart and find out how they can help you in your garden.

AgriLife publication on centipedes & millipedes

https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/centipedes-and-millipedes/

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Music by Owen DesBles

Continuing our "Bugs in love" series with information on insect mating.

BBC Earth video on mantid mating

https://youtu.be/Os3OBJSlpUc?si=WF4nlKLa2FgzANZ-

Canadian Museum of Nature video on insect/ arthropod mating

https://youtu.be/ZCbV1yMhFmw?si=hGks7w15UM0symWB

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

Music by Owen DesBles

Love is in the air! Literally for many insects trying to attract mates. Learn how insects find mates and what strategies they use - weird, odd, and brutal - to lure their loved ones to them.

This episode covers pyrethroids: what are they? how do they differ from pyrethrum and pyrethrins? how do they kill insects?

Video on how pyrethroids work

https://youtu.be/8X31U9xyqDw?si=S-p7VkIRzAE2dEbk

EPA pyrethrins & pyrethroids

https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/pyrethrins-and-pyrethroids-reregistration-and-labeling

IRAC Mode of Action

https://irac-online.org/mode-of-action/classification-online/

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Music by Owen DesBles

Insect growth regulators are a class of insecticide that disrupts the insect's growth and development. Specific to arthropods without any impact on mammals, birds, reptiles, etc, this is a host specific (to arthropods) option for pest control for several insects. Learn what an insect growth regulator is and how it acts on the insect.

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Music by Owen DesBles

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! We're back with our 2024 entomology gift giving ideas episode. This year we decided to talk books!

Books recommended:

My First 100 Bug Words by Chris Ferrie and Lindsay Dale-Scott

A Sting in the Tale by Dave Coulson

Insects of North America by John C. Abbott & Kendra Abbott

Common Insects of Texas and Surrounding States by John C. Abbott & Kendra Abbott

The Goddard Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance by Gail Miriam Moraru & Jerome Goddard II

Essential Entomology by George C. McGavin, Leonidas-Romanos Davranoglou, et al...

No one likes a mosquito, but hopefully you can appreciate the intricacies and complex nature that mosquitoes find hosts and use their mouthparts. Also discussed are repellents and why some work and others don't.

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

Music by Owen DesBles

You know them. You love/hate them. It's time to talk Asian ladybird beetles.

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Music by Owen DesBles

Other resources:

https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/multicolored-asian-lady-beetles

https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/multicolored_asian_lady_beetle.htm

https://www.ars.usda.gov/oc/br/lbeetle/index/

Find out what mites can become associated with humans and which ones can survive on humans. We talk about what to do in various instances and how you can track down where mites are located for management.

Common Insect and Mite Pests of Humans

https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/common-insect-and-mite-pests-of-humans/01t4x000004OUV1AAO

Common External Parasites of Backyard Poultry

https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/common-external-parasites-in-backyard-poultry/01t4x000004OxmeAAC

Biting mites

https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting-stinging/others/ent-3009/

Diagnosing Mysterious "Bug Bites"<...

Harvestmen, daddy long legs, cellar spiders or Opiliones are long legged arachnids that we all probably know and love or fear. Learn a little about the lore of harvestmen, their lifecycle, what they actually eat and if they are really venemous.

This episode we talk with Dr. Kyle Slusher, AgriLife Entomology's new Pecan, Viticulture, and Fruit Specialist.

https://entomology.tamu.edu/people/slusher-kyle/

eddie.slusher@ag.tamu.edu

https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2024/07/03/agrilife-extension-adds-pecan-viticulture-and-fruit-pest-management-specialist-in-stephenville/

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Music by Owen DesBles

Hear from one of Texas A&M AgriLife & A&M Department of Entomology's newest addition - Dr. Garett Slater and Apiculture Specialist leading the new Apiculture Program for Texas. Learn his goals for the program, research he plans to do, educational outreach, and some interesting facts about beekeeping and honey bees you probably didn't know!

Apiculture Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564253723033

Texas Beekeepers Association - https://texasbeekeepers.org/

Beekeeping 101 Courses - https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/website/78795/

Tawny Crazy Ants are an invasive and very pesky species of ant. Not found in all areas of Texas and still relatively new for even pest management professionals. Learn the ins and outs of TCA, how to ID them, who they get confused for, and what to do if you end up with an infestation.