Bugs to watch for in May

Power point on invasive species.

This publication includes a description of wireworms and explains the importance and types of injuries they can cause to your trees. It also includes information on their life history, habits and methods of control.

Bugs of the month.

This is an alert to a new invasive pest mite that has been detected in Florida. The following from Florida DPI provides information about the invader. Since we do a lot of business in plants and plant material with Florida, be aware of any unusual problems that develop or are reported from nurseries or gardeners. Where concerns arise, take samples and forward them to me.

It seems just yesterday it was 2007. Pest problems are light presently, but two major situations have developed.

(Distributed 11/27/07) Butterfly gardening is a rewarding hobby that creates a calming effect, Wendy Babiak of Shreveport said as she observed a butterfly garden at the State Fair of Louisiana. Babiak, a Master Gardener who has a “wildlife oasis smack in the middle of Broadmoor,” a Shreveport subdivision, helped put together an LSU AgCenter fair exhibit on how gardening can be used to attract butterflies.

This Web page examines the materials available to the homeowners for use on ornamentals and turf.

Parishes with confirmed infestations of pink hibiscus mealybug.

A couple of bugs this month are new to the state. You're encouragedto pick up and send in anything you have not seen before. Especially if you get plants from outside the state or something unusual shows up after a storm or other extreme conditions.