Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners
Beneficial or pest or both? Larvae, the second life stage of insects like butterflies, moths, beetles, and flies that go through complete metamorphosis, can be herbivores, predators, or scavengers. Can you tell the difference? To learn more, go directly to the Illustrated Glossary page by clicking here.
Happy Pollinator Week! This year we are shining a spotlight on some of the most widely recognized insects in the world–butterflies and moths–with a series of posts, videos, and word puzzles throughout the week. Today’s post describes the Life Cycle of lepidopterans.
Mosquitoes are a perennial summer pest, and the temptation to resort to commercial spraying to deal with this scourge can be strong. A key consideration to keep in mind is that all insecticides used to target adult mosquitoes are nonselective and will kill all insects that come in contact with the chemicals, including pollinators and other beneficial insects. Learn better techniques for controlling mosquitoes.
