Beetle or true bug?

Several people have been asking me about "beetle" problems they are having on their plants.  When I finally see the insect it's not a beetle, but a true bug. So, how do you tell the difference between the two groups?

Beetles: Beetles have hardened forewings (the front wings), so they may look as if they have a straight line down their back. Beetles also have chewing mouthparts with mandibles.


True bugs: True bugs have their forewings hardened at the base and membranous at the end. This creates a triangular shape on their back. True bugs have piercing-sucking mouthparts (sort of an elongated beak) that fit on the underside of the body between the legs.

East Austin Garden Fair- tomorrow, Saturday, April 16th

Come to a great garden fair - Rain or Shine!
Saturday - April 16, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm 

Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center - Gymnasium 

2608 Gonzales Street, Austin, TX 78702

 

Free: Admission, Plants (vegetables & herbs), Garden buckets, Garden books/magazines and soil screening for food gardeners. Easy instructions for soil sampling at http://austintexas.gov/soilkitchen

 

Visit with friendly gardeners regarding:

• Bee Keeping, Backyard Chickens, Bugs & Butterfly Gardening
• Growing Fruit, Citrus, Vegetables & Herbs
• Preserving Your Harvest & Food Safety
• Lawns, Turfgrass & Tree Care
• Drip Irrigation Methods & Rainwater Harvesting
• Straw-bale Gardening, Grow Boxes & Keyhole Gardens
• Firewise Landscaping & Native and Adapted Plants
• Composting Basics & Worm Composting
• Houseplants, Terrariums, Greenhouses & Hoophouses
• Aquaponics, Community Gardens & Bio-intensive Methods
• Caring for Garden Tools & much more!

  
Kids will have a great time with 20 activities on bugs, birds, bees, butterflies, seeds, herbs, leaves, soils and seeing nature up close. Get an apron and build a tool box at the Home Depot Kid's workshop.

 

For more information, please call 512-854-9600

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/travis/local-extension-resources/east-austin-garden-fair/ 

Webinar on pollinators

2016 All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: Help pollinators cope with pesticides

Webinar TODAY! Friday, April 1, 2016 for the All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: Help pollinators cope with pesticides

Friday, April 1 at 1:00 pm Central

Location: http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/fireant

Pollinating insects are at risk when pesticides are used carelessly. Learn practical tips for preventing pollinator deaths from pesticides by Jack Rowe, Dr. James Tew, Sallie Lee, and Dani Carroll from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Moderated by Mallory Kelley, Denise Heubach, and Ellen Huckabay, Regional Extension Agents, Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Click here to login as a guest and participate in the live event.   Note: on April 1, the link to the live webinar opens about 15 minutes before the webinar. If you try to log in earlier, you will get an error message.

Don't panic if you cannot login today at 1PM. The webinar will be recorded so you can watch it later.