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Japanese beetles

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    Japanese beetle. Photo credit: David Cappaert,Bugwood.org , CC BY-NC 3.0 US   How do I know if I have Japanese beetles in my garden, and what’s the difference between them and other beetle friends that I may find? Who do I call if I suspect Japanese beetles in my landscape?  Japanese beetles ( Popillia japonica ) are common in the Eastern part of the US, but not so in New Mexico. In fact, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) works hard to ensure this destructive agricultural pest does not establish itself in New Mexico. In our increasingly globalized society, there is a real threat that it will be accidentally introduced into the New Mexico landscape. Given all of its commonly found lookalikes, we want to know what to look for. With the right knowledge, even someone without much experience can learn to identify this important pest and help keep New Mexico safe from infestation. What does the Japanese beetle do in the landscape that makes it such a ...
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University Insect Collections and NM-RARe!

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 What are some rare insects in New Mexico, and where can I learn more about them? --Sandoval County   The Sandoval County Extension Master Gardeners recently had the privilege of touring the Museum of Southwestern Biology's Division of Arthropods collection. Located on the University of New Mexico campus and open to the public by appointment only, the Museum serves as a repository of biological specimens for scientists to study. Museum research collections like these allow scientists to describe new species and track distributions of known species over time, giving us one of the most concrete and accurate ways to tell how changes in habitat and climate affect populations. These collections also serve as great learning tools, offering the public an up-close look at plants, animals, and fungi from around the world and our own backyards. It was a wonderful treat to see the collection and hear about the Division of Arthropods' current research, which currently includes the study o...
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