more... > Parishes > St. Charles > Insect Pest Updates > Bugs, Bugs, Bugs, September 2009 [Image: snails on foliage] Bugs of the month for September 2009 include: slugs, yellow jackets, stinging caterpillars, fire ants, love bugs, Green June beetles, loopers, Elongated Tree ants, armyworms, Diaprepes weevil. Bugs, Bugs, Bugs August 2009 [Image: Parasite of cockroach egg cases.] The bugs of August 2009 include: Ensign wasps, Armyworms, Red-headed azalea caterpillars, Lantana lace bug, Asian hackberry aphid, Rose borer, Grape leaf skeletonizer. Pool Pests [Image: Back Swimmer Illustration] The two most common water pests are the backswimmer and the water boatman. July 2009 Insect Update [Image: Spider, Centipede, Millipede] There are always a lot of questions about how the weather affects the insect populations. Does it increase the populations? Does it kill them out? A good example of this action can be seen now that we are hot and extremely dry.  more articles... The Cactus Moth [Image: CM 1st Instar] The cactus moth is an invasive species that has both beneficial and pest qualities. Used in Africa and Australia to remove pest cactus, it is now in the United States removing native and ornamental cactus. In the United States, this pest has moved from Florida to Alabama to Mississippi and now Louisiana. June 2009 Insect Update [Image: Colaspsis] Here are some bugs being reported around the state. May 2009 Insect Update [Image: Mosquito] LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Dale Pollet says we are getting to the hot and wet part of the year, and we are beginning to see some serious insect problems. April 2009 Insect Update [Image: Lubber Grasshopper] Well, the weather cannot make up its mind as to rainfall or temperature, but the insect population has been awakened and is already moving everywhere. Looks like it will be a big bug year, so be aware. March 2009 Insect Update [Image: Buck Moth] With the hot and cold variations we’re having, it’s hard to tell what all will show up this spring. Several pests have already begun, and several other show potential to be problems. Here is what we are seeing already. February 2009 Bug Update [Image: Leaf-footed Bug] Although we have had some crazy weather, we are still seeing some insects flying around and creating a nuisance of themselves. Even honeybee swarms are starting with the hot, sunny weather we had last week, and those in trees are coming out and getting ready for spring, which seems just around the corner. January 2009 Insect Update [Image: Scarlet-Bodied Wasp Moth] Well, the year is starting mixed up as usual – warm-to-hot wet weather when it should be cool. And we are beginning to see some of the results of the weather conditions. December 2008 Insect Update [Image: Asian Ladybeetles] For the past couple of months, the primary concern was getting bees out of downed trees and removing swarms that formed from trees downed by the hurricanes. With the onset of cool to cold weather, we have a series of insects that need addressing.