Bugs by the Yard

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%7DLogo by Natalie CervantesMusic 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 Jonathanhttps://entomology.tamu.edu/people/consford-jonathan/Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic 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 & millipedeshttps://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/centipedes-and-millipedes/Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Continuing our "Bugs in love" series with information on insect mating.BBC Earth video on mantid matinghttps://youtu.be/Os3OBJSlpUc?si=WF4nlKLa2FgzANZ-Canadian Museum of Nature video on insect/ arthropod matinghttps://youtu.be/ZCbV1yMhFmw?si=hGks7w15UM0symWBLogo by Natalie CervantesMusic 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 workhttps://youtu.be/8X31U9xyqDw?si=S-p7VkIRzAE2dEbkEPA pyrethrins & pyrethroidshttps://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/pyrethrins-and-pyrethroids-reregistration-and-labelingIRAC Mode of Actionhttps://irac-online.org/mode-of-action/classification-online/Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic 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.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic 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-ScottA Sting in the Tale by Dave CoulsonInsects of North America by John C. Abbott & Kendra AbbottCommon Insects of Texas and Surrounding States by John C. Abbott & Kendra AbbottThe Goddard Guide to Arthropods of Medical Importance by Gail Miriam Moraru & Jerome Goddard IIEssential Entomology by George C. McGavin, Leonidas-Romanos Davranoglou, et al.Borror and DeLong's Introduction to the Study of Insects (7th edition) by by Norman Johnson and Charles TriplehornFireflies, Glow-worms, and Lightning Bugs: Identification and Natural History of the Fireflies of the Eastern and Central United States and Canada by Lynn Frierson FaustThe Bees in Your Backyard by Joseph S. Wilson & Olivia Messinger CarrilAmazing Arachnids by Jillian CowlesWasps of North America by Heather HolmSix-legged Sex: The Erotic Lives of Bugs by James K. WangbergStocking Stuffers – any laminated pamphlets from Quick Reference PublishingBonus Non-Fiction book: Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel JoyceLogo by Natalie Cervang in the Tale, Dave CoulsontesMusic by Owen DesBles

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 CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

You know them. You love/hate them. It's time to talk Asian ladybird beetles.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBlesOther resources:https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/multicolored-asian-lady-beetleshttps://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/multicolored_asian_lady_beetle.htmhttps://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 Humanshttps://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/common-insect-and-mite-pests-of-humans/01t4x000004OUV1AAOCommon External Parasites of Backyard Poultryhttps://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/common-external-parasites-in-backyard-poultry/01t4x000004OxmeAACBiting miteshttps://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting-stinging/others/ent-3009/Diagnosing Mysterious "Bug Bites"https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting-stinging/others/ent-3006-2/What is a Sticky Traphttps://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/ipm/what-is-a-sticky-trap/Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

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.eduhttps://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2024/07/03/agrilife-extension-adds-pecan-viticulture-and-fruit-pest-management-specialist-in-stephenville/Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic 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=61564253723033Texas 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.

Fleas are a common summertime pest, especially with those who have companion animals. This episode, we discuss how to identify and treat for fleas as well as the diseases they vector.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen Des Bles

Peridomestic?! What's that? Peridomestic is when something lives in or around humans. So this episode, we're talking common cockroaches that you may run into inside or around your home: American, Smokybrown, Turkestan, and German.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Have you seen these large reddish-brown ants? ...or maybe you have seen the colonies where they clear out vegetation? This episode we'll discuss how to identify these ants, their biology, and why you may want to leave them alone.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBlesAgriLife Learn Publication on red harvester antshttps://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/red-harvester-ants/01t4x000004OUUtAAOTPWD Horned Lizard Watch Reporthttps://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/pwd_rp_w7000_1442/habitat/Ant wiki informationhttps://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Pogonomyrmex_barbatusTPWD Texas Horned Lizard informationhttps://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/thlizardSan Antonio Zoo horned lizard reintroduction programhttps://sazoo.org/conservation/texas-horned-reintroduction-project/

Have you been seeing webbing covering branches in your trees and shrubs? If so, you may want to open the webbing and see if you have fall webworms. In this episode, we discuss how to identify webworms and possible management strategies.Show notes:Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Fall Webworm Free PublicationTexas A&M Forest Service - Forest Health: Fall WebwormField Guide to Common Texas Insects - Fall WebwormLogo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Show notes for Bryant!

Insect communicate in a variety of ways using various types of cues. Listen to find out more about how it is done.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

Saltmarsh and other hairy caterpillars are common across Texas this year.

This episode covers typical pest insects that may be found on roses.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

The group talks about what a honey bee swarm actually is and what it means to the colony and to the homeowner.Texas Apiary Inspection Service list of bee removers - https://txbeeinspection.tamu.edu/bee-removal/Bee Culture Magazine Article - https://www.beeculture.com/swarm-initiation-a-nurse-bee-hypothesis/#:~:text=This%20quorum%20of%20nurse%20bees,that%20initiates%20the%20swarming%20process.&text=In%20the%20Biology%20of%20the,to%20establish%20a%20new%20colony.

2024 is a big year when it comes to periodical cicadas with TWO broods emerging in the United States. Illinois seems to be the place to be with both broods in the state and some areas with overlap. This episode will cover information on both periodical cicadas as well as the annual cicadas that we have in Texas.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

This episode we cover information about mason bees, including the blue orchard bees. These bees are wonderful native pollinators that you can attract to your landscape.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBlesCheck out these additional resources for more information! https://www.tcmastergardeners.org/mason-bees/https://citybugs.tamu.edu/2021/06/17/the-native-mason-bee/https://txbeeinspection.tamu.edu/mason-bees/

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 night active in

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.

We're continuing with our beneficial arthropods series and covering decomposers.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

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 DesBles

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 tot he basics with this episode and covering insect metamorphosis.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

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 DesBles

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 BugsByTheYard@gmail.comImage by Natalie Cervantes. Music by Owen DesBles.