INSIDER
Don’t expect a cicadapocalypse in Texas in 2024 — here’s why
Read full article: Don’t expect a cicadapocalypse in Texas in 2024 — here’s whyIt’s going to be a big year for the insects as parts of the U.S. will experience what some are calling a “cicadapocalypse.” Two broods of cicadas are emerging in the same year for the first time since 1803.
Close cousin of ‘murder hornets’ arrives in the US for the first time, reports say
Read full article: Close cousin of ‘murder hornets’ arrives in the US for the first time, reports sayAn invasive hornet species that is a close cousin of the Asian giant hornet, otherwise known as the “murder hornet,” has been found in the United States for the first time.
Why do some people get more mosquito bites than others? Study reveals reason
Read full article: Why do some people get more mosquito bites than others? Study reveals reasonThe study consisted of 64 volunteers wearing nylon sleeves and being exposed to a variety of mosquitos on their arms in a glass chamber for six hours.
‘Invasive’ beetle known to cause agricultural damage intercepted at Texas-Mexico border
Read full article: ‘Invasive’ beetle known to cause agricultural damage intercepted at Texas-Mexico borderAgents with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Protection intercepted an “invasive” longhorn beetle at the Roma Port of Entry earlier this month.
Did February’s freeze kill all the mosquitos, fleas & ticks?
Read full article: Did February’s freeze kill all the mosquitos, fleas & ticks?SAN ANTONIO – We’ve seen how the February freeze hurt our plant, bat and fish populations, but how will it impact our insects? Molly Keck, an entomologist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Bexar County, says for most local insects the freeze won’t impact them. And to answer the question about the pesky mosquitos....she says no, the freeze didn’t kill all the mosquitos and fleas. “What usually affects them more than constant cold weather is when we have up and down cold snaps and it warms up. She says if we have a wet spring, we’ll see more mosquitos, ticks and fleas.
No, it’s not a ‘piñata of pain.’ It’s actually more common in Texas than you may think.
Read full article: No, it’s not a ‘piñata of pain.’ It’s actually more common in Texas than you may think.Texas Parks and Wildlife shared an image on Facebook and asked residents to guess its origins. Instead, TPW says it appears to be a nest of Mexican honey wasps, which are native to Texas. Similar to bees, these wasps produce honey and are considered a “beneficial insect due to their pollination services,” TPW officials say. There are technically 16 different species of Mexican honey wasps; however, there’s only one species that can be found in the state, according to TPW. RELATED: That’s not trash on Texas beaches - it’s a living creature, Padre Island National Seashore officials say
Insects are disappearing at a rapid rate, study says
Read full article: Insects are disappearing at a rapid rate, study saysThe world’s top bug experts say that insects are quickly declining in population and this can be dangerous to human population. Climate change, insecticides, herbicides, light pollution, invasive species and habit loss are the causes behind the one to two percent decline in insects every year, entomologists say. “Insects are the fabric by which mother nature and the tree of life are built,” Wagner said. This rapid loss of the world’s insects is problematic because scientists say insects pollinate the world’s foods, they are crucial to the food chain and get rid of wastes. Scientists say there is hope.
Kissing bugs, a cute name with not so cute side effects, spiking in Texas
Read full article: Kissing bugs, a cute name with not so cute side effects, spiking in TexasSAN ANTONIO – When you get bit by a kissing bug, you may not even know it because the bite isn’t very painful. But experts with Texas A&M AgriLife Research say that bite can affect you down the road because kissing bugs are known to spread Chagas disease. Chagas is caused by a parasite in blood-feeding insects, like kissing bugs. Kissing bugs, when fully grown, are about an inch long and they can live for about a year. To prevent kissing bugs from hanging around your home, clear out any brush or areas where rodents or critters hang around, which are what the bugs feed on.
Dangerous ‘kissing bug’ in Texas could cause deadly disease for you or your pets, experts warn
Read full article: Dangerous ‘kissing bug’ in Texas could cause deadly disease for you or your pets, experts warnResearchers said they’ve already collected over 300 kissing bug specimens in one location, where just last year, they only found six. Kissing bugs can grow to be longer than the width of a penny and both their heads and mouths are cone-shaped. Kissing bug compared to U.S. penny. Still, if you have been bitten by a kissing bug, it’s recommended to seek additional medical care for further testing. Read also:‘Kissing bug’ on the rise: Everything you need to know about dangerous infectionJust how deadly is the kissing bug, Chagas Disease?
This is what getting stung by a ‘murder hornet’ looks and feels like
Read full article: This is what getting stung by a ‘murder hornet’ looks and feels likeOn Brave Wilderness’ “Breaking Trail” YouTube show, the host, Coyote Peterson, follows adventure in a variety of wildlife areas. RELATED: “Murder Hornets” are in US; Can the insects possibly migrate to San Antonio or South Texas? He travels across the area for days in search of the hornet until he finally finds one on his last day. To let the hornet sting him. “When the stinger went into my arm, I had a wave come over me and I got super dizzy,” he said.