Bugs by the Yard

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 Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

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

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 Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles Be sure to check out this Youtube video for more information on parasitoids!...

We're going back to the basics with this episode and covering insect metamorphosis. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles For 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 Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles For general information about red-imported fire and biology, visit: https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/red-imported-fire-ant/ For more information on community-wide management p...

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 Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

We all think that crane flies are the harbinger of spring. Listen in to find out more. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles Links 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 Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles Molly'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/p...

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.com Image 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...

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 Cervantes Music 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 Nata...

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

In this episode we continue on with the brushfoot butterfly family Nymphalidae. https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/butterfly-gardening/01t4x000004PDZAAA4 Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music 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/01t4x000004PDZAAA4 Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music 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 Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

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

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