The year of the cicada has received lots of hype in the radio media. People rescheduling outdoor weddings, sharing recipes, relating experiences. Author of the article Olivia Young.
In early April there is a sunny spot in our back yard early in the morning. Usually I would find a robber fly perched on a leaf waiting for its first victim. The warmth of the sun would bring out some smaller flies which seemed to be its favorite target. What’s interesting is that the robber fly seemed to be fearless. I could get right up to it with my camera and he just seemed to dare me to take away his prey. It does seem to be a little strange to see a fly eating a fly.
In early fall I could often find another robber fly [Promachus hinei]. One day I saw one had caught a paper wasp. Again, I could take my time getting its portrait. It was quite impressive how the fly would control the wasp with its legs
Dragonflies are constantly looking for their next prey. This Common Green Darner [Anax junius] has another dragonfly for its meal. The victim looks to be a Blue Dasher. According to Greg Lansley, dragonflies will often eat other dragonflies. In fact, they will even eat the young of their own species.
In the fall I watch the wheel bugs and the praying mantis. I have a small grove of goldenrod in the backyard and there were several wheel bugs all summer long growing up. When the goldenrod bloomed, I could see why they were there. The flowers were full of honey bees and wasps. Every day four or five wheel bugs were getting their fill. Often two or three would be feasting at a time, to the point expected to see a pile of carcasses on the ground
A praying mantis shared in the bounty of the bees. One day in early November I found something unexpected. One of the wheel bugs had attacked the mantis.
Upon closer inspection of the mantis, it was clear that it was not in good shape. Some parasites had been growing in its body and had recently escaped the abdomen. I did a little search of mantis parasites. It was quite disturbing what I found. It was clear to me that being an insect is a dangerous existence and I was glad I could leave the carnage behind and go into the house for a nice cup of coffee.
Tuesday, December 8, 7pm Monthly online “Zoom” Meeting
Chase Brooke – The Junipers of Texas
Junipers are a ubiquitous sight across Texas. From the trans-Pecos to the piney woods, most ecoregions in Texas have at least one species naturally occurring within it. Chase will discuss the five most commonly occurring native juniper species in the state, their unique characteristics, how to manage them, and how to identify them.
Chase Brooke is the Agriculture and Natural Resources County Extension Agent with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Collin County. In this role, he provides high-impact, research-based information and educational opportunities to residents, landowners, and agricultural producers in Collin County. Chase owns both a B.S. in Spatial Science and an M.S. in Ecosystem Science and Management from Texas A&M University. Chase is a native to the DFW area, and has previously worked in forestry, research, and higher education before starting as a County Extension Agent in 2018.
President’s Slides in PDF covering new COVID-19 Guidelines.
Collin Country is at Red Level Guidelines through 12/6/20
Please click the button below for more details from the Texas Master Naturalist Program Coordinator.
Chase Brooke, county extension agent and our chapter AgriLife sponsor, asked us to please share the following press release concerning the plethora of seeds being received with Chinese shipping labels:
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is urging Texans to take extreme precaution when receiving unsolicited seed packets from China. These packets have been mailed to multiple states, including Texas, falsely labeled as jewelry. Residents are advised not to plant the seeds as they could contain harmful invasive species or be otherwise unsafe.
“I am urging folks to take this matter seriously,” Commissioner Miller said. “An invasive plant species might not sound threatening, but these small invaders could destroy Texas agriculture. TDA has been working closely with USDA to analyze these unknown seeds so we can protect Texas residents.”
If you receive a foreign package containing seeds do not open it or plant the contents. Keep contents contained in their original sealed package.
An invasive species is an organism that is not native to a particular region. The introduction of this “alien species” can cause economic or environmental harm. In agriculture, an invasive species can destroy native crops, introduce disease to native plants and may be dangerous for livestock.
Please report unsolicited seed packages to SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov
More information can be found here: http://ow.ly/Dlcy50AJjlr
Thank you,
Chase T. Brooke
County Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources – Collin County
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
