• TRA Extension will be sponsoring an Applied Beekeeping Workshop on July 10-11, 2008 at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Dr Marion Ellis, Professor of Entomology and Extension Apiculture Specialist from the University of Nebraska will lead the workshop. Joli Winer and Cecil Sweeney, owners of Heartland Honey in Spring Hill KS will assist. The workshop and is designed for induividuals with at least a basic knowledge of beekeeping. There is a $100 registration fee. For more information and a complete agenda, click here.
  
  
• We have added a section on insects affecting native plant seed production. Acreage of native plants grown for seed is increasing and many of the insects that attack them are unknown. Hit Seed Production on the button bar to go the home page for that section.
  
  
• The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is conducting a Japanese Beetle Eradication Program in Orem City Utah. Click here for their report on 2007 activities.
  
  

As of mid-April 2008 it appears that alfalfa butterflies have successfully overwintered in good numbers. We experienced huge numbers of the yellow or white butterflies last fall and alfalfa growers should keep an eye out for problems this spring and summer. There is typically a two week delay between the time the butterflies are in the field and larval damage. You can find more information on alfalfa caterpillars at the High Plains IPM web site.