Bugs by the Yard

Crape myrtles are the most commonly planted ornamental trees in our landscape and a scale threatens to take away some of the beauty of your tree. Learn what the group thinks of this scale, how to identify it, and what options are available for management.https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/insects/crapemyrtle-bark-scale/https://citybugs.tamu.edu/files/2010/05/EHT-049-Crape-myrtle-bark-scale.pdfLogo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

This episode we cover how insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils work and why it's not a great idea to substitute household products for pesticides.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Do you have an entomophile in your life? If so, this episode can help you with possible gift ideas! Also make sure to check out the links below.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBlesWizzie's suggestions:Jewelers loupe - 30x + 60x plus light (put that in a google search)Clip on macro lens set for camera phone (google "smartphone macro lens set)Books -Common Insects of Texas and Surrounding States by John C. Abbott & Kendra Abbott-The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America's Bees by Joseph S. Wilson & Olivia Messinger Carril-Butterflies of Houston and Southeast Texas by John Tveten & Gloria Tveten-Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification & Natural History by David Wagner-Six legged Sex: The Erotic Lives of Bugs by James K. WangbergInstagram artistsMollyburgessdesigns designer cloth spiders, insects, and bats (find on instagram or etsy as "MollyBurgessDesigns")Ringgoldnicole (Nicole Ringgold) silversmith...amazing arthropod work & other stuff (website: nicoleringgold.com)sean_goddard_insects insects out of glass, copper tubing, etc. (website: seangoddardinsects.com)vetropod (Wesley Fleming) lampwork arthropods (website: www.vetropod.com/shop)fromhandsof.sjr pottery with slip painted arthropods (website: fromhandsofsjr.ca)bymikelibby arhtopods out of various objects (website: insectlabstudio.com/works/)

Leaf cutter ants are a fascinating, although irritating ant to find in the landscape. If you don't have them, you need to listen to again an appreciation for them. If you have them, learn more about their biology and habits so you can better understand how to treat them!

Growing some cole crops this fall? Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale or others? Learn the most common pests that will plague those plants and how you can avoid losing them to the bugs.

This episode we cover some of the active hunting spiders that can be found in Texas including ground spiders, wolf spiders, fishing spiders, and tarantulas.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Ambush spiders are those who sit and wait on plants, flowers or in web funnels to wait for their prey before jumping out to catch them. They include some important agricultural biological control agents, beautiful colors, and interesting specimens.

Orbweavers are one of the largest groups of spiders. They are unique, often large, and quite beautiful!

Jumping spiders are possibly the cutest spiders on the planet with their large eyes that look at you like an anime character. This episode will talk about stuff that you may not know about these cute little spiders.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Pesticide is often a word that people don't like to hear. Learn what a pesticide truly is, the history of pesticides, and what the hosts think of it's use.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Thrips can show up in the landscape, especially if you like growing roses. Listen to find out if or when you need to be concerned.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Listen to find out about some unusual bugs you may come across in the landscape.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

It's summer; it's hot; it's time for chiggers.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

This week, the cast talks about some of their favorite insects that are active at night!Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Hammerhead worms may be news to you, but they have been in Texas for over 100 years. Learn how to identify them, some interesting facts, how to manage them, and why these entomologists don't think you should panic if you come across one.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

We're continuing with our beneficial arthropods series and covering decomposers.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBlesInsects play a crucial role in the breakdown and recycling of organic materials. We also utilize this to our benefit! How many insects have you seen in your compost pile?

This spring has been really busy and I realized that I had a brain fart and posted this episode on our sister podcast Unwanted Guests. While some of you may have already listened to it as you may listen to both, I wanted to post it here where it belongs for those of you who may not tune into the other podcast.So here it is...the missing spring pests in the veggie garden episode....sorry it's late in coming.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBlesBe sure to check out these resources for additional information on garden pests! https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/about-2/horticulture/edible-gardens-for-austin/vegetable-gardening-in-austin/texas-vegetable-garden-insects-field-guide/https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/landscape/

Learn more about the beneficial insects that often are overshadowed by pest species. Remember, most insects are not pests (some estimates are less than 7%!) Parasitoids and predators are some of the groups that we actually benefit from as they help mitigate pest populations.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBlesBe sure to check out this Youtube video for more information on parasitoids! Truly a wild group of insects that take reproductive mechanisms to the extreme. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jST12cyPx98&t=168s

We're going back to the basics with this episode and covering insect metamorphosis.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBlesFor more information on insect metamorphosis, visit: https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/2023/01/23/insect-life-cycles-by-wizzie-brown/

Now is the perfect time to treat for red-imported fire ants. You can either treat your yard individually or work with your neighbors to create a community-wide management program.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBlesFor general information about red-imported fire and biology, visit: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/red-imported-fire-ant/For more information on community-wide management programs and contact information, visit: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-local/community-fire-ant-management/

Spring is creeping in and many people's thoughts are turning to getting back outside and working in the garden. This episode, we'll talk about spring garden preparation and why or may or may not want to do it.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

We all think that crane flies are the harbinger of spring. Listen in to find out more.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBlesLinks for more information and to view pictures of crane flies:1) https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/crane-fly/2) https://citybugs.tamu.edu/2016/03/15/crane-flies/

In this episode, we answer the dreaded question...."what is your favorite insect?"Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBlesMolly's Favorites:Fire ants: https://fireant.tamu.edu/manage/faq/Honey bees: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/honey-bee/Praying mantis: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/praying-mantis/Zebra Heliconian: https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/databases/butterflies/butterfly-gallery/pages/Lantana9.html and for more information, visit: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Heliconius-charithoniaWizzie's Favorites:Pale-bordered field cockroach: https://landscapeipm.tamu.edu/what-is-ipm/ipm-concepts/pest-identification/good-bug-bad-bug/neither/cockroaches/Cuban cockroach: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/120830-glowing-cockroaches-bugs-science-animalsJumping spiders: You can download our Texas spiders publication here: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/spiders/01t4x000004OUUuAAO and if you want to enjoy some ADORABLE photos, check out Thomas Shahan's flickr account here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/opoterser/albums/with/72157629202125460Bryant's Favorites:Dobsonfly: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/dobsonfly/Snakefly: Check out this awesome publication: https://lacewing.tamu.edu/neuropterida/neur_bibliography/edoc12/lyu2018ref18033-19522.pdf and click here for some general photos: https://elp.tamu.edu/ipm/bugs/order-raphidioptera/Mantidfly: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/mantidfly/Scorpionfly: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/scorpionfly/

Hear all about our predictions for this year's insects! Weather definitely plays a roll, and weather has been consistently warm and dry and we have some ideas for what you might be seeing this year.Send us a comment or topic idea! Email us at [email protected] by Natalie Cervantes. Music by Owen DesBles.

The weather is turning colder, so prepare to move those plants indoors, but make sure you don't bring any pests in with them. This episode tells you what to look for on house plants and plants that come indoors over winter.Whitefly: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/silverleaf-whitefly/Scales: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/wax-scales/chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2011/03/scale.pdfMealybugs: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/citrus-mealybug/Roaches:https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/household/cockroaches/https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/cockroach-biology-and-management/Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Listen in to find out what those weird growths on your oak tree (or other plants) are and what causes them to grow.Read more on Insects in the City!https://citybugs.tamu.edu/2014/04/03/gall-insects-most-active-in-the-spring/Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Love 'em or hate 'em, tune in to find out more about these fascinating animals.See these two web pages for more information:https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/paper-wasp/https://txbeeinspection.tamu.edu/public/bee-identification/paper-wasp/Follow this link to download our 6 page publication! https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/paper-wasps-yellowjackets-and-solitary-wasps/Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

In this episode we wrap up our butterfly series with information on hairstreaks, blues, coppers, and harvesters.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

First off, meet our NEW colleague...Bryant McDowell! Then stay to listen and learn about the butterfly family Pieridae, commonly known as the whites and sulfur.Here are some great photos to check out! https://elp.tamu.edu/ipm/bugs/family-pieridae/Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

In this episode we continue on with the brushfoot butterfly family Nymphalidae.https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/butterfly-gardening/01t4x000004PDZAAA4Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

In this episode we begin to discuss butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, the brushfoots.https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/butterfly-gardening/01t4x000004PDZAAA4Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Listen in to learn about the milkweed butterflies that are found in the United States: monarchs, queens, soldiers, and tropical milkweed butterflies.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Listen in to find out more about the common swallowtail butterflies that can be found in Texas.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

The perfect insect for conjuring up summer nights. Listen in to discover more about the fascinating life of fireflies.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

This episode we'll talk about the ways that insects communicate by using sound.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

The previous episode covered information on the common social wasps in Texas, so we decided to round out the topic and cover solitary wasps as well.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

This episode we'll talk about the two main groups of social wasps found in Texas: paper wasps and yellowjackets. ....and yes, we touch on hornets as well....Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Have you ever wondered what the spit stuff is that you see on plants? If so, listen in to find all about the insects that create the "spit".Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen Des Bles

There are a bunch of caterpillars that are emerging/ falling out of oak trees right now (springtime in Texas). Listen in to find out what caterpillars you may be seeing and what or if you should do anything about them.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Honey bees are known for being pollinators, but they also provide us with products. Honey is the most popular of these products, but listen into to find out what else they provide.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Listen to find out more about the history of silk and the insects that create this natural fabric.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Do you know what entomophagy is? I'll give you a hint....ento is base for insect and pahgy is base for eating. Tune into this episode to find out more!Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Cochineal scales are a common insect, sometimes thought to be a pest, on prickly pear cactus. Tune in to find out more about why these insects are used to create a bright red dye called carmine, their history, and uses.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Are you looking for a new way to compost your kitchen scraps? Soldier fly larvae may be just thing for you. This episode has guest Dr. Jonathan Cammack talking with us about Popworms and soldier flies.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Texas leaf cutter ants are fascinating insects but can become a problem if they invade your landscape. Listen to find out more about these fascinating animals!Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

A wasp that makes honey? YES! Listen in to find out more about these totally cute and wonderful insects.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Tune in to find out what you can do to help create a welcoming habitat in your yard for overwintering insects.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Fall is a great time to begin planning your spring garden AND to work on reducing the pests that might want to much on the spring garden. Tune in to find out what you can do now to reduce spring insect problems.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

If you have arachnophobia, it may not matter if a spider is venomous or not. All spiders are predators and therefore beneficial, so listen to find out what spiders in Texas you need to watch out for.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Did you know that scorpions are arachnids and are related to spiders? Learn more about scorpions and what to do about them in this episode.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles