Big Bug Day Program: Guess Who Came For Dinner- Recognizing Signs and Symptoms

Rocky Mountain Gardening Elective

Diagnosis of insect injuries to plants can often be difficult. Often the insects are no longer present when the injury is noted, and many of the insects (and mites) are quite small if they are present. However, many of the kinds of injuries produced can be very characteristic of one kind of insect or another, based on their feeding habits and the plant response to injury. Furthermore, insects and mites may leave behind clues in the form of discarded eggshells and body parts, waste products or secreted materials such as silk or wax. This topic will be discussed in two parts, one involving those insects that feed using chewing mouthparts, the other the insects and mites that feed on the fluids from plants.

Price: $43, $37 member

Instructor: Dr. Whitney Cranshaw

Dr. Whitney Cranshaw is an Emeritus Professor of Entomology at Colorado State University where he has worked since 1983. During this time he has conducted a wide-ranging Extension/Research/Teaching program with the primary focus of improving the understanding of and effective management of insects of horticultural crops (vegetables/fruits, flowers, trees/shrubs, turfgrass, hemp). He has written extensively on these subjects, producing many hundreds of publications on research and for public education/Extension. He has also authored several books, perhaps best-known being Garden Insects of North America and Bugs Rule! An Introduction to the World of Insects. His work has been recognized by numerous awards associated with various "green industries" and professional associations, within the state and nationally. Although retired from CSU in July 2020, he has not retired from "bugs" and continues to write, speak with diverse audiences, support websites and listserv discussion groups, and conduct research on projects of interest.