Monthly Archives: September 2010

Bed Bug Bites

Posted on September 30, 2010 by jjneal

Bed bugs not only bite people, they frequently appear in TV sound bites. For example, this recent sound bite from the David Letterman Show featuring NY City Mayor Bloomberg: Letterman: What are we going to do about the rats? On … Continue reading →

Posted in Bed Bugs, News, Policy | 10 Comments

Aphid Invaders

Posted on September 30, 2010 by jjneal

This time last year, many towns and cities in Indiana and Illinois experienced incredibly large swarms of soybean aphids. This year (2010), I have seen a few soybean aphids but nothing like the massive clouds that choked joggers and interfered … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Invasive Species, Pest Management | 1 Comment

Chafers

Posted on September 29, 2010 by jjneal

Beetles are the most numerous type of insect and insects are the most numerous type of animal on the planet. Beetles have hardened front wings (called elytra) that meet in a straight line down the middle. These hardened forewings protect … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Pest Management | Leave a comment

Bugging out!

Posted on September 28, 2010 by jjneal

“Feds Seize Rare Insect in Flower Shipment” blare the headlines of a recent article. This article received the tags, “News” and “Weird”. However, it is neither news nor weird; it is old hat and ordinary. Every day, inspectors at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Invasive Species, Pest Management, Policy | Leave a comment

Stop the Bug

Posted on September 27, 2010 by jjneal

In the Midwest, homeowners have been annoyed by the Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis, for the past decade. Harmonia is a native of Asia, that has been imported several times into the US for control of aphid pests. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Invasive Species, Pest Management, Policy | 2 Comments

Stop the Beetle

Posted on September 26, 2010 by jjneal

The USDA has a website with information on Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Longhorn Beetle, two devastating wood boring beetles. The media library has videos that explain how EAB was brought to North America, the damage it causes, how to … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Invasive Species, Pest Management, Policy | 10 Comments

Why flowers smell good

Posted on September 25, 2010 by jjneal

Some flowers are known for their pleasant odor. Some of the strongest odors are produced by the flowers of angiosperms (flowering plants). Angiosperm fossils date to 125 million years ago to a time when dinosaurs still roamed the earth. Most … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment | 2 Comments