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Extension Entomology

Category: Pollinators

Proposed listing of the monarch butterfly as a threatened species

Posted on by Department of Entomology
monarch on a flower

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” →

Perennial Grain Species as Border Crops: Pollinator Habitat, Weed Suppression, and Forage Potential (panel discussion)

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Tania Kim — Dept. of Entomology – Insect, Landscape Ecology; Plant-Insect Interactions

 

You are invited to attend a panel discussion about perennial grains as border crops hosted by the Land Institute.

Date Time: Sep 22, 2021 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Perennial Grain Species as Border Crops: Pollinator Habitat, Weed Suppression, and Forage Potential

Location: Zoom (registration required, information below).

 

 

Description: Border crops have the potential to deliver agronomically important ecosystem services to crop fields. Perennial plantings could be advantageous in providing low-maintenance ground cover for field borders, flowers for pollinators, and even forage for livestock. In this webinar we will discuss the border crop potential of four perennial species at The Land Institute being domesticated as perennial grain crops – sainfoin, silflower, cup plant, and Kernza® – compared to two known border and forage crops, alfalfa and a 9-species prairie mixture. Dr. Ebony Murrell at The Land Institute and Jessica Butters at Kansas State University will discuss data collected during a 3-year research study, give a brief virtual tour of the research plots, and answer questions regarding perennial border crops and the services they provide.

 

To register, please use this link

 

https://landinstitute.org/news-events/event-calendar/perennial-grain-species-as-border-crops-webinar/

 

Remember Pollinators Matter

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Frannie Miller — Pesticide Safety and IPM Coordinator

It is important to remember that pollinators matter to each of us as they are vital to ecosystem health and having a sustainable food supply. This week is pollinator week (June 21-27, 2001), which was created to support pollinator health. It is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about items each of us can do protect these species. Honeybees, native bees, birds, bats, butterflies, and other animals are required to pollinate more than 80 % of the world’s plants.

As we celebrate pollinator week here are several items you may consider doing to help protect the pollinators.

  1. Plant for Pollinators – Pollinators prefer a diverse mix of flowering plants. Consider using native plants in your landscape. Plant in clusters to create a “target” for pollinators to find. Pollinators will also assist in the healthy production of fruits and vegetables, so you both benefit.
  2. Protect Nesting Sites – Consider allowing dead branches and logs to remain as nesting sites. Reduce the mulch to allow patches of bare ground for ground-nesting bees to use. Consider installing wood nesting blocks for wood nesting natives.
  3. Reduce or Eliminate the Impact of Pesticides – Pollinator’s can be sensitive to certain types of insecticides. If you need to use a pesticide, then read and follow all label directions. Choose a product that is the most pollinator friendly and consult the label to see if it should not be used on prebloom or blooming plants.
  4. Support Local Bees and Beekeepers – Purchasing local honey helps to support a beekeeper in your area. Visit your local beekeeper, ask questions, and learn.
  5. Reach Out to Others – Be informed and spread the word to others about the importance of pollinators. Share on social media about what you are doing to help and encourage others to do the same.

    This year our program promoted pollinators through an Insect Art Contest with the theme of “Exploring Pollinators.” Hopefully these images remind you that pollinators do matter. Take time to think about what little things you could do to help diversify your landscape!



Be an Insect Detective

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Frannie Miller — Pesticide Safety & IPM Coordinator

This week I got the opportunity to visit a community garden to view the beautiful flowers and try to obtain some images of insects. It occurred to me that as an entomologist I often need to be a bit of a detective to discover who is feeding on what plant. It is possible to be deceived if we don’t take the time to take a closer look!

 

At first glance the Black Eyed Susan’s appeared to have a fuzzy web like appearance making a person think of a disease, but upon closer inspection I could tell they had been fed on by an insect. The image illustrates what I was seeing in the landscape. The leaves appeared fuzzy because something had skeletonized the leaves and left behind their frass, which is characteristic of some type of caterpillar.

Caterpillar Feeding

 

Upon closer inspection, I was able to find the culprits feeding on the plants in groups as shown in the second image. It is important to remember that the larval stage can be difficult to identify as there are not as many identification guides available. In this case, I determined them to be Variegated Checkerspot caterpillars.

Checkerspot Caterpillars

Since caterpillars can be vary host specific sometimes what type of plant they are found on will give you a clue as to what they are! I recommend using a notebook or your phone to take notes of where the insect was found, on what type of plant, and to make a note of any identifying features. A magnifying glass may help you be able to identify key characteristics. The camera on your phone can be used to take a clear photo, which can then be identified later. An image can be worth a thousand words and is a lot easier to identify from than a description. Just some items to think about as you explore the outdoors this summer.

Honey Bees in Kansas

Posted on by Sharon Schroll

–by Raymond Cloyd

 

The Kansas Honey Producers Association appreciates Kansas State University extension agents and all the work they do across the state for pollinators including honey bees. We would like to offer support during these challenging times. With the focus on home and health, we are seeing an increased interest in beekeeping across the state. The Northeastern Kansas Beekeepers Association offers beginning classes associated with beekeeping each year. Because of the need to distance ourselves, our classes are held remotely.  Although this has some disadvantages, the classes are recorded. The private YouTube links to both classes are provided below. The first class is “Beginning Beekeeping” and provides information on biology, acquiring bees, basic diseases, colony growth, and seasonal management. The second class is “Year 2 and Bee-Yond,” which focuses on topics related to individuals with some beekeeping experience. Topics include why hives die, making splits and requeening a hive, management of varroa mite, and extracting honey. The classes are available to members of the Northeastern Kansas Beekeepers Association for $5.00 but these classes are being offered free to extension agents.  We ask that you respect our work and if others would like to view the programs, please direct them to our web site: www.nekba.org.  Questions and requests for assistance may be sent to Becky Tipton, President of the Kansas Honey Producers Association at bstbees@embarqmail.com or 785-484-3710.

 

Beginning Beekeeping: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ODXdd1Vl4knXZL7IcjeBhVIGu3bcdju

 

Year 2 and Bee-Yond: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ODXdd1Vl4k0DQmqCvLszBrs6zJtOR94