Yellowjackets have a well-deserved reputation for being aggressive since they often sting when defending their nests or when they encounter people while out scavenging for food.
This time of year, yellowjacket colony populations are increasing, and people may encounter them more frequently. Some yellowjacket species live in underground nests and can be a problem to people mowing the lawn or to children playing on it. Other kinds of yellowjackets may live in between voids in walls and ceilings of houses, coming into contact with people who pass by.
Sometimes paper wasps are mistaken for yellowjackets, but these insects are much less aggressive and more easily dealt with.
If you have a wasp...
Yesterday we posted an “Easter egg hunt” challenge, and as promised, here are the adult insects and spiders with their matching eggs or egg cases pictured. How did you do?
We welcome your feedback, so please sign in and post a comment below to tell us if the egg hunt was easy or difficult, and how many answers you guessed correctly. Or, you can write us a note about the challenge on our UC IPM Urban/Community Facebook page.
Now for the answers:
A. Harlequin bugs are...
Easter often brings to mind colorful eggs hiding in the landscape for children to find. At UC IPM, we thought you'd want to know about eggs already hiding in your yard: insect and spider eggs!
Many insects and spiders have strangely shaped and colorful eggs that you may have never noticed. Below are some photos of these interesting eggs and our own version of a spring time egg hunt.
We challenge you to guess which adult insect or spider belongs to the following eggs and egg cases. Some are beneficials, while others might be pests. Extra “points” awarded for being able to know the difference! Answers will be posted on Tuesday afternoon. Good luck!
Insect and Spider Eggs and Egg...
Last week, we discussed some common beneficial predators that help control pests on garden and landscape plants. One such predator you might find, is a lacewing. In fact, you may have seen adult lacewings on or near porchlights in the evening, since these insects are attracted to lights.
Green Lacewings
Green lacewing (Chrysopa spp., Chrysoperla spp.) adults are green, soft-bodied insects with golden eyes and four membranous wings. Their larvae are pale with dark markings and a tapered tail, and measure 1/8 to 4/5 of an inch long.
There are several species of green lacewings; some species have predaceous adults, while others feed only on...
/h2>Every April, we celebrate Earth Day and think about ways we can help make our planet healthier. One way to do this is to use IPM or integrated pest management to deal with pests around your home and garden!
IPM is a science-based, environmentally sound strategy that farmers, professionals, and residents can use to help prevent or control pests and their damage while at the same time protecting people, bees, beneficials, pets and the planet.
Are you already using IPM?
IPM uses a combination of methods including:
- biological control -- 'good bugs' or beneficial organisms like spiders or parasites that eat or prey on other bugs;
- physical control -- blocking the pest from...