Learn how to tell good bugs from bad pests

Is that a good guy or a bad guy? That’s my first thought when I see an unfamiliar bug in my garden.

Some good guys – such as lady beetle larvae – look pretty scary, while some beauties bring trouble. (For example, the five-spotted hawk moth starts out as a tomato hornworm.)

Learn how to tell the difference between good and bad bugs as well as how to identify common plant diseases during a free Zoom workshop, presented by the UCCE master gardeners of Yolo County.

Set for 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Insects and Diseases Every Gardener Should Know” will help gardeners throughout the greater Sacramento area better identify what’s bugging their plants – especially in the vegetable garden.

“Experienced Yolo County Master Gardener Mike Kluk will lead the discussion, which will cover a variety of insects commonly found in the garden, both beneficials and bad guys, and common diseases,” say the master gardeners. “The emphasis will be on insects and diseases that have the most impact on vegetable gardens, although most of the information will be relevant to ornamentals as well.”

This one-hour seminar is immediately practical. For example, what’s eating your cabbage? More than 20 different kinds of bugs could be the culprits (plus some mammals, too). Find out how to spot tell-tale signs.

Proper identification of pests and diseases is key to treatment, control and prevention, note the master gardeners. By being able to tell the good bugs from the bad ones, gardeners can support beneficial insects that help their plants while effectively containing pest infestations with little or no chemicals.