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February 2007 Newsletter

In This Issue:

Where Do Insects Go in the Winter?
Pest of the Month
February Gardening Tips

Insects During the Winter

Insects have a variety of methods for surviving the coldness of winter...

Migration is one strategy for escaping the killing temperatures. The Monarch Butterfly is the foremost example of this maneuver, but other insects migrate into northern areas from the southern states in the Spring. Crop pests are the most obvious of these migrants.

Overwintering as Larvae. Many insects successfully pass the winter as immature larvae. The protection of heavy covers of leaf litter or similar shelters protect the woolly bear caterpillar, while other insects replace the water in their bodies with glycerol, a type of antifreeze! Some grubs simply burrow deeper into the soil to escape the cold.

Overwintering as Nymphs. Not many insects are active in the winter, but the nymphs of dragonflies, mayflies and stone flies live in waters of ponds and streams, often beneath ice. They feed actively and grow all winter to emerge as adults in early spring.

Overwintering as Eggs. Lesser numbers of insects lay eggs which survive the winter. The most prominent insects in this category are Praying Mantids, and the destructive Corn Root worms also engage in this strategy.

Overwintering as Pupae. Some insects overwinter in the pupal stage, then emerge as adults in the spring. Moths in the Silkworm Family, Saturniidae, may be found attached to food plant branches as pupae in the winter.

Hibernation as Adults. Many insects hibernate as adults. Lady bird beetles are a well-known example, and are sometimes seen in great numbers in the fall as they congregate at high elevations. Many large wasps seek shelter in the eaves and attics of houses or barns. Tree holes, leaf litter, and under logs and rocks are common shelters for overwintering adult insects. The Mourning Cloak Butterfly is usually the first butterfly that is noticed in the Spring, and this is because it hibernates in tree holes or other shelters during the winter. As in some insect larvae, it reduces the water content of its body, and builds up glycerol which acts as an antifreeze. Honey bees stay in hives during the winter, and form clusters when temperatures fall. They also are able to raise the temperature by vibrating wing muscles.

Pest of the Month
Deer

Organic Control: There is a wide range of organic repellents that will take care of any deer problem that you might be having.

Interesting Fact: Some deer can almost double their numbers every year, and with this high reproductive rate and lack of predators, they can rapidly become a problem because of their effects on the vegetation of an area and their propensity to cause car accidents.

Problems Caused: Deer can eat your whole garden overnight if they are hungry enough.

You can find out about that certain pest with our easy-to-use Solution Finder. Just click on the appropriate category and navigate by picture!

February Gardening Tips

Plant:
- Vegetables: Seeds indoors only
- Color: Alyssum, Cannas, Calendulas, Daylilies, Gladiolas, Pansies, Pinks, Primrose, Snapdragons, Violas
- Transplant: Summer-blooming perennials, landscape plants
Fertilize:
- All Plants: Granular organic fertilizer at 20 lbs./1,000 sq. ft. If soil is in good condition then fertilize at 10 lbs./1,000 sq. ft.
- Specialty: Cool season flowers with earthworm castings, fish meal, and bat guano at 10 lbs./1,000 sq. ft.
Prune:
- Trees: All dead branches
- Flowers & Shrubs: Evergreens, summer-flowering
- Ground Covers: Remove all winter damaged foliage
Pest Control:
- Use horticultural oil for major infestations of scale
Odd Jobs:
- Have your soil tested
- Add compost and top-dressing mulch to all unhealthy soil areas

*This advice is based on north Texas regional climate. Check with your local extension service for more details pertaining to your local climate.