Monthly Archives: March 2015

Crape Myrtle Bark Scale- watch for this new pest and report sightings

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There is a new insect pest that is spreading to crape myrtle trees throughout Texas. This insect was first detected in 2004 here in Dallas, but it wasn’t until last year that this scale was positively identified as an exotic scale, Eriococcus lagerstroemiae. In 2014 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension published information about this scale http://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/Crape-Myrtle-Bark-Scale-p/eht-049.htm and most recently, AgriLife employees have worked with the Southern Region IPM Center to create an information clearinghouse and citizen science database for this pest. http://www.eddmaps.org/cmbs/ Here’s where we especially need your help…. Read More →

Crane flies- Spring is here!

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I saw my first crane fly of the year before the cold hit this week. In my mind, that means spring is officially here. Crane flies have a bunch of different names that are mostly regional. Around here I hear people call them crane flies or mosquito hawks. Many people think they eat mosquitoes, but the adults either do not feed at all or feed on nectar. Some people think crane flies are a giant form of mosquito. Adult flies are tan with very long legs. They are… Read More →