Bugs by the Yard

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.

Check 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/

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

Music by Owen DesBles

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.pdf

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

Music 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 Cervantes

Music 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 Cervantes

Music by Owen DesBles

Wizzie'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. Wangberg

Instagram artists

1. Mollyburgessdesigns designer cloth spiders, insects, and bats (find on instagram or etsy as "MollyBurgessDesigns")
2. Ringgoldnicole (Nicole Ringgold) silversmith...amazing arthropod work & other stuff (website: nicoleringgold.com)
3. sean_goddard_insects insects out of glass, copper tubing, etc. (website: seangoddardinsects.com)
4. vetropod (Wesley Fleming) lampwork arthropods (website: www.vetropod.com/shop)
5. fromhandsof.sjr pottery with slip painted arthropods (website: fromhandsofsjr.ca)
6. 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 Cervantes

Music 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 Cervantes

Music by Owen DesBles