A natural way to keep gardens safe from hungry pests is to employ the help of praying mantids. Kansas State University entomologist Raymond Cloyd said this predator of the insect world can be beneficial to a home garden.
“They eat anything they can grab onto with their raptorial front legs,” Cloyd said, “including flies, crickets, moths, butterflies, wasps and caterpillars.”
Continue reading “Good for the Garden: Praying mantids prey on insects”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is proposing to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 48 contiguous states. A threatened listing under the ESA can modify or exempt certain species protections to balance conservation efforts with economic impacts. It allows flexibility to incentivize positive conservation actions. Details about prohibitions and exceptions are available on the FWS website.
Continue reading “Proposed listing of the monarch butterfly as a threatened species”
–by Anthony Zukoff – Entomology Southwest Research and Extension Center
Garden City, KS.
Insect diagnostic services are available to members of the public seeking assistance identifying an insect or suspected insect related problems. The Insect Diagnostics ID Request Form can be accessed online and after providing observation information such as location and date of the sighting along with answering a set of questions intended to help with the identification process, one can then upload up to 3 photos and submit the form. The inquiry is then forwarded on to one of the entomology extension specialists. Within a few days, usually less than two, the identity of the insect along with appropriate life history information and/or control measures is then sent to the client by email or phone. The online submission process takes only a few minutes and can be accessed with desktop computers and mobile devices. Continue reading “Insect Diagnostics 2022 Season Summary”
–by Anthony Zukoff – Entomology Southwest Research and Extension Center
Garden City, KS
Noticeable numbers of army cutworm moths, also called Miller moths, have been observed in a couple locations in western Kansas this year. Army cutworms are late fall and early spring pests of several Kansas crops, especially wheat. These moths begin migrating into Kansas and neighboring states in the fall from their over-summering locations in the Rocky Mountains. This year, moths began showing up in western Kansas during the first week of September. In the last six weeks, over 1600 moths have been collected in pheromone traps at a location in Finney County. Trap counts of 800 or more moths in an area may indicate increased caterpillar activity the following spring. Right now, females will be laying eggs on the soil surface of freshly cultivated, weedy or newly seeded winter wheat fields. Each female can lay up to 1000 eggs or more. After hatching, caterpillars will begin feeding and do so until cold weather forces them below ground. However, it is possible for them to resume feeding on warmer winter days. Caterpillars will complete their growth next spring and then burrow into the soil to pupate. Sexually immature adults emerge in late spring and migrate back to the mountains for summer. Fields should be scouted during warm periods between February and April. Fields under stressful conditions, such as the current drought, may suffer economic damage with only 1-2 caterpillars per square foot. Typically, treatment will not be necessary until populations average 4-5 per square foot and well-tillered fields under good growing conditions can tolerate up to 10 per square foot without measurable yield loss. More information regarding control options for this pest in wheat and other crops can be found in the KSRE Insect Management Guides.
Army cutworm moths in a pheromone trap in Finney County
–by Raymond Cloyd — Horticultural Entomologist
Goldenrod soldier beetle, Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus, adults are feeding on goldenrod (Solidago spp.) (Figure 1) as well as other flowering plants. Adults can be seen feeding and mating simultaneously. The goldenrod soldier beetle is common throughout most of Kansas.
Figure 1. Goldenrod soldier beetle adults feeding goldenrod flowers (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Adults are about 1/2 of an inch long, elongated, and orange with two dark bands on the base of the forewings (elytra) and thorax (middle section) (Figure 2). In general, adults are present from August through September. Adult soldier beetles feed on the pollen and nectar of flowers. In addition, they are predators and will consume insects such as aphids and caterpillars. Flowers are a great place for the male and female soldier beetle adults to meet and then mate (Figure 3). Soldier beetle adults do not cause plant damage. Adults may occasionally enter homes, but they are rarely a concern. The best way to deal with adults in the home is to sweep, hand-pick, or vacuum.
Figure 2. Goldenrod soldier beetle adult (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Figure 3. Goldenrod soldier beetle adults mating (Raymond Cloyd, KSU)
Adult females lay clusters of eggs in the soil. The larva that emerges (eclose) from eggs are dark-colored, slender, and covered with small dense hairs or bristles, which gives the larva a velvety appearance. The larva resides in soil feeding on grasshopper eggs. Sometimes, the larva will emerge from the soil and feed on soft-bodied insects and small caterpillars.