Insects

Chinese praying mantis made the trip to Le Mars (09/05/08)
When Rick Prouty looked up from cleaning his pool, he could hardly believe his eyes. Sitting on the fence in his Le Mars backyard was a 4-inch praying mantis. "I didn't even know they lived up here," he said. "I've only ever seen them on National Geographic. I've never seen one up close."...

Soybean aphids increase in Plymouth County (08/07/08)
Soybean aphid numbers have increased dramatically in northwest Iowa soybean fields, and many fields are requiring treatment. "There are several fields in the county above treatment threshold so people should be scouting their fields," ISU Extension Grain Specialist Joel DeJong said Wednesday. The treatment threshold is 250 aphids per plant...

Merrill Threshing Bee (08/04/08)

Conservation camps teach children about insects (07/10/08)
First through fourth graders from all over the region migrated to Hillview Park in Hinton to take part in the Plymouth County Conservation camp this Wednesday and Thursday. The focus for the camps is learning about insects. "The purpose of these camps is to get kids outside in the summer and to give them an awareness of what's in their own backyard," said naturalist Victoria Shamblen...

Low mosquito population makes spraying cost prohibitive for city (07/10/08)
Mosquitos constantly buzzing and biting can be annoying and even concerning for residents. Le Mars officials said there aren't enough of the winged pests flying around this summer to make it cost effective to spray the city. "There is a tremendous cost and very little opportunity even if you were spraying to eradicate all the mosquitos," said Ken Nelson, Le Mars city councilman. "It would impossible for the city to spray all areas."...

On the lookout for an invasion of tree-eaters (05/21/08)
They're leaving no survivors. They're moving in on Iowa. Emerald Ash Borers, insects that kill ash trees by eating away at them under their bark, are heading this direction, according to Dr. Mark Shour, a program specialist on pest managment and the environment from Iowa State University Extension...

Kooistra advances to state Geographic Bee (03/24/08)
A Le Mars Community Middle School student has advanced to the 2008 Iowa Geographic Bee. Seventh grader Zach Kooistra, son of Marie and Mike Kooistra, will compete at the 2008 Iowa Geographic Bee set for Friday, April 4, at Drake University in Des Moines...