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/

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

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/

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

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/

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

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.

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

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.

Borror and DeLong's Introduction to the Study of Insects (7th edition) by by Norman Johnson and Charles Triplehorn

Fireflies, Glow-worms, and Lightning Bugs: Identification and Natural History of the Fireflies of the Eastern and Central United States and Canada by Lynn Frierson Faust

The Bees in Your Backyard by Joseph S. Wilson & Olivia Messinger Carril

Amazing Arachnids by Jillian Cowles

Wasps of North America by Heather Holm

Six-legged Sex: The Erotic Lives of Bugs by James K. Wangberg

Stocking Stuffers – any laminated pamphlets from Quick Reference Publishing

Bonus Non-Fiction book: Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

Logo by Natalie Cervang in the Tale, Dave Coulsontes

Music 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 Cervantes

Music by Owen DesBles

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

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

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/