AgriLife Extension program in Austin will focus on beneficial insects

ORIGINAL: Agrilife Today

AUSTIN — The Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County will present a no-cost program on beneficial insects from 9-10 a.m. on June 13 at its offices at 1600-B Smith Road in Austin.

A program on beneficial insects for the garden and landscape will be presented at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service office for Travis County, located at 1600-B Smith Road in southeast Austin. (Texas Cooperative Extension Service photo by Dr. Bart Drees)

“This program will focus on the identification of beneficial insects in the garden and landscape,” said Wizzie Brown, AgriLife Extension specialist in integrated pest management for Travis County. “Beneficials help by providing biological control of other insects or by providing a service, such as pollination, that is helpful to plant growth or propagation.”

Brown said in horticulture and gardening, some desirable results of beneficial insects include pest control, improved habitat balance and the enhancement of the natural vitality of a garden or landscape.

She said some examples of beneficial insects are lady bugs, assassin bugs and lacewings.

“Managing non-beneficial or pest insects by employing the use of their natural enemies is one of the oldest means of pest control,” Brown said. “While most beneficial insects are harmless to people and plants, they are still natural predators or parasites that can kill or disable various pest insects.”

Brown said beneficial bugs offer biological control of many common insect pests, including aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, thrips, flies, mosquitoes and fire ants.

“Along with a presentation, we will go to the garden in front of our offices to find and identify beneficial insects and see what distinguishes them from non-beneficials,” Brown said. “Many insects look alike, so this exercise will show people how to better look for and take note of the physical and behavioral characteristics of insect species.”

Brown said the program will also demonstrate how people can make their landscape more hospitable for beneficial insects.

“Encouraging beneficial insects by providing them with optimal living and propagating conditions is a useful pest control strategy,” she said. “The program will also address how to make your landscape more bug-friendly for beneficial insects.”

For more information, contact Brown at 512-854-9600 or e-brown@ag.tamu.edu