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“Good Bugs, Bad Bugs” garden seminar July 31

Virginia Cooperative Extension and local Master Gardeners will present a free seminar, “Good Bugs, Bad Bugs in our Garden,” Tuesday, July 31, in Warrenton.

It will begin at 6 p.m. at Fauquier Extension Office at 24 Pelham St., Warrenton.

Paul Semtner, a professor emeritus at Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research Center at Blackstone, will lead the presentation about insects in the home garden and what they do.

“The home gardener deals with a large number of insect pests, while frequently overlooking the importance of beneficial insects that help reduce pest problems in their garden,” Dr. Paul Semtner said.

He will discuss the general life cycles, classification and the damage caused by major arthropod pests in home gardens and ornamentals.

Not all bugs are destructive pests, many of them serve an important purpose in your garden as well as a vital role in our ecosystem. Beneficial insects keep the population of pest insects in check and provide food for birds and other wildlife.

Dr. Semtner grew up on a small livestock farm in south-central Oklahoma. He received his Ph.D. in entomology from Oklahoma State University in 1972. He was hired as an assistant professor of entomology at the Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont AREC in 1974 to conduct research and extension programs in tobacco insect pest management. Retiring in 2010 after 36 years of service, he continues to volunteer for entomology programs for Master Gardeners, 4-H, schools, state parks and the annual Farm and Family Day the Virginia Tech Southern Piedmont AREC.

The July 31 program will last 60 to 90 minutes and will take place rain or shine. Seating is limited. To register contact the Master Gardener Help Desk at 540-341-7950, Ext. 1, or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).