One of the more spectacular entomological events is the emergence of millions of periodical cicadas. What makes this event so unusual is that it occurs so infrequently, each brood emerging every 13 or 17 years. Depending on where one lives,…

A nationwide survey is currently underway to gather information from farmers and growers on the economic impact of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) (Figure 1) on agriculture. The objective of the survey is to better provide commercial producers with…

As summer winds down, it’s surprising to find that insects aren’t always hiding like we might assume. In fact, some insects seem to start interacting with us even more as the calendar switches over to September. One group that we…

Upon its accidental arrival in the U.S., as with most other invasive species, brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) numbers expanded quickly in the absence of natural enemies that it left behind in its native Asia. For a number of years,…

With the hot weather, there has been a large increase in numbers of reports of spider mite activity, particularly in greenhouses and high tunnels where foliage stays much drier. Two-spotted spider mite is a common pest of many vegetable and…

Stink bugs are becoming more numerous as we move into the mid-summer months; they are feeding on a wide range of agronomic and horticultural crops. Producers are encouraged to be on the lookout for stink bugs and their close relative,…

Millipedes play an important role in breaking down decaying plant matter. These multi-legged arthropods accumulate where there is some moisture coupled with mulch, fallen leaves, or a significant thatch layer. Large numbers of millipedes can appear suddenly to cover sidewalks,…

Since arthropods are cold-blooded animals, temperature plays a major role in their growth and development. There is a threshold temperature for each species; 50oF is that value for many of our common insects. No development occurs when daily temperatures remain…

The large size and vivid color of red velvet mites (Figure 1) make them hard to overlook as they crawl across sidewalks, driveways, or soil. The red color of these mites is sometimes mistaken for blood and people fear that…

In early August, I was collecting green stink bugs for a project that one of my graduate students is working on, and I came across an unusual specimen. Generally, when looking for green stink bugs, you expect them to be…