Filtering by tag: entomology ✕

Pirates and Assassins [Bugs] to the Garden Rescue

I’m not going to lie: they’re not pretty. In fact, they can be pretty gnarly; and they hurt if they jab you in the finger! But, assassin bugs, especially the large wheel bugs, and pirate bugs are the…

When Less is More: A Lazy Gardener’s Guide to Supporting Pollinators

When we think about helping bees and butterflies, we usually think about adding things to the landscape: buying more plants, building insect hotels, or spreading bags of seed. But since June is…

Rain barrels and aquaria hold outdoor rain garden plants

Don't want mosquitos this summer? Don't spray your yard!

Mosquitos cause a lot of anxiety and discomfort as the temperature warms up in the springtime. It is understandable to want to be able to enjoy our outdoor spaces without being mobbed or eaten alive…

man counts insects during community science event

2025 Was a Record Year for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census in Lee County

On the cusp of 2026, we are reflecting on the great success we had in Lee County through the Great Southeast Pollinator Census (GSEPC) in 2025. North Carolina has much to celebrate! The 2025 GSEPC…

ladies tresses orchid flowering in a lawn that has not been mowed

Orchids and Lightning Bugs- Report From a “No-Mow May” Lawn

Folks who know me know I am not particularly fond of turfgrass (think bermudagrass, centipede, etc.). I have a high level of respect for property and golf course managers that keep the turf…

conopid fly rests on a mountainmint flower

Bee “Can-Openers”: Understanding Conopid Flies

Step into your garden, and you'll likely be greeted by the familiar buzz of bees and the flutter of butterflies. These charismatic insects often steal the show, but a closer look reveals a cast of…

asian hornet sits on a white flower this is an invasive insect that is heading to NC

Scary Yellow “Stripey” Things: Understanding Your Garden's Unsung Heroes

Our gardens, often seen as personal sanctuaries of beauty and tranquility, are in fact bustling microcosms of the larger ecological web. Whether we are basking in the miracle of a newly emerging…

flower fly drinking nectar from a purple flower

PR Department: Flies Are the Good Guys

We’re going to make 2025 the “Year of the Pollinator” (well, every year should be about pollinators because we like to eat, right?), and there are so many favorites that come to mind: bees and…