Spider Mite

The pesticide the researchers tested is called Phosmet, which is widely used especially in apple orchards to target the codling moth, whose larvae is known as the apple worm. Phosmet is rated as highly hazardous even here in the States, and is well-known to be extremely toxic to bees. Bees, of course, are a beneficial and arguably essential element of agriculture, responsible for pollinating crops. But Phosmet, when used in careful doses, is considered non-lethal to the bro

Silkworms are the larvae of the silk moth, one of thousands of insect species that wrap themselves in cocoons as they prepare for metamorphosis. It’s one of nature’s most industrious insects — and the only one that has ever been domesticated. The Chinese perfected the art of harvesting the single, half-mile long thread that forms each cocoon, transforming worm silk into a luxurious fabric at least 5,000 years ago. Dr. Randy Lewis of Utah State University&#

Spider plants are an attractive and easy to care for houseplant, which makes them a popular choice for indoor gardening. If you are like me, however, and tend to completely forget about your houseplants for weeks or – I’ll admit it – sometimes months on end, you may find yourself faced with a wilting spider plant. Lucky for folks like me, this issue is not hard to recover from. Read on to learn why a spider plant may wilt, and some ways to help it bounce b

After graduating from college and moving into an apartment, a spider plant was the first plant I grew. Hanging from the ceiling, the spider plant with its long strappy leaves and cascading baby spiders was such a nice addition. Little did I know that a NASA study from the 1980s showed spider plants to be one of the top indoor plants for removing toxins from the air. Such a bonus! In this post, I share everything you need to know about growing and caring for spider plan