Identifying Ground Beetles
It's an easy error to make. You notice some plants being chewed. You look around for clues and spot a good sized hole in the soil nearby. If you poke around in the soil you may unearth a surprisingly large, aggressive-looking beetle and it's easy to conclude that you've found your culprit. But you would be wrong.
Ground beetles have an appetite for grubs, slugs, caterpillars, wireworms and other soil-dwelling pests. They aren't causing the damage; they're helping fight the problem. Ground beetles are usually nocturnal so they can be hard to find without digging through the soil. When exposed to light they scurry to bury themselves back under ground. They especially like the cover provided by crop debris and natural mulches.
Ground beetle larvae are even more intimidating. They tend to be robust with noticeably large jaws, the better for devouring those worms and slugs. Ground beetle adults and larvae are good examples of why it is important to accurately identify the pest before deciding which course of action to follow.
For more information on many types of ground beetles visit: http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/pdf/ground-tiger-beetles
-Amy Ivy
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Upcoming Events
Orleans Regional Winter Vegetable Meeting
February 9, 2026
Albion, NY
Topics include: Breeding and evaluating tomatoes to control disease and improve yield, jar testing and ensuring spray water quality, breaking down organic matter, FSMA updates and Q&A with Ag & Markets, and industry updates. Includes hands-on learning, coffee break, and sponsor booths.
DEC credits available: 1.0 in CORE plus 0.5 in 1a, 10 or 23
African Eggplant Participatory Breeding Kick-Off
March 5, 2026
Join us to learn about the Cornell African Eggplant Research Project and learn how you can participate! African eggplant, also known as Bitterball, Garden Egg, Kittley and other names, is an important crop for many members of our community with heritage from regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Brazil. Since 2024, the Cornell African Eggplant Research Project has been collaborating with growers and community partners across New York to develop high-quality varieties adapted to the Northeast U.S. In this meeting, we will share information about growing and preparing African eggplant, highlight our research to date, and invite partners to collaborate with us in our 2026 participatory breeding and variety selection efforts.
COST: FREE! You must pre-register to receive the Zoom link.
Managing the Invasive Swede Midge Webinar
March 6, 2026
Swede midge is an invasive fly that causes serious economic losses to brassica crops. Due to its small size and hidden feeding habits, swede midge is often called an "invisible pest" and damage may be misdiagnosed. In this webinar, we will review the swede midge life cycle and crop damage symptoms, current management recommendations, new research findings, and highlights from on-farm case studies with a focus on organic management.
1.75 DEC pesticide recertification credits in categories 1a, 10, and 23.