AUSTIN – The Texas AgriLife Extension Service office in Travis County will present a program on stinging and biting arthropods on Sept. 12 at its office at 1600-B Smith Rd. in southeast Austin.
“The presentation will be on how to identify various arthropods that may sting and/or bite, such as centipedes, scorpions, spiders, wasps and related insects,” said Wizzie Brown, AgriLife Extension entomologist and integrated pest management specialist, Travis County.
Brown said the no-cost program will take place from 9 -10 a.m. and is open to the public.
According to Brown, arthropods are invertebrates with an external skeleton, segmented body and jointed limbs. There are more than a million species of arthropods, and they constitute four-fifths of all known living animal species.
“Arthropods are very good at adapting to environmental conditions, so some have the ability to thrive during drought or drought-like conditions,” she said.
Brown said the program will address the characteristics and biology of arthropods, their behavior and how to recognize their bites and stings.
“At the AgriLife Extension office in Travis County this summer, we’ve received numerous calls asking about certain arthropods and how to identify and control them,” Brown said. “This program will help Austin and Travis County residents better identify and understand these pests, plus learn some ways they help avoid getting bitten or stung by them.”
For more information, contact Brown at 512-854-9600 or ebrown@ag.tamu.edu
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