Join us for the World Premiere of the first Virginia Food Heritage Short Films. These 18 short films on Central Virginia food traditions will be screening in Charlottesville on both Wednesday, May 2nd, at 7pm, and Thursday, May 3rd, at 5pm, with a discussion to follow the screening on Thursday.
Learn more at The Virginia Food Heritage Project, and come celebrate our culinary heritage!
A cannibalistic insect that emits a vicious smell when startled, with a bite that may be more painful than a wasp sting? Yes, that’s a bug that we love seeing on our farm. Wheel Bugs (Arilus cristatus) are insect predators that help control many pesky plant pests, like aphids and caterpillars.
Wheel Bugs are shy and slow moving, and are found throughout the United States, though they’re rarely seen. Don’t bother them and they most likely won’t bother you. The adults measure over an inch long.
These “true bugs” are the only insects found in the U.S. with a wheel-like crest behind the head, so they’re easy to identify. In the immature stage, usually seen in April through June, they don’t have the crest, but their red and black bodies are pretty easy to recognize. (The nymph photo at right comes from the University of Florida.)
So don’t be too hasty when you see these bugs on your garden plants – they’re lending you a helping hand!
Resources:
University of Florida Featured Creatures: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/trees/wheel_bug.htm
Judge Sides with Monsanto: On February 24, Judge Naomi Buchwald ruled to dismiss the case OSGATA et al. v Monsanto.
“Family farmers need the protection of the court. We reject as naïve and undefendable the judge’s assertion that Monsanto’s vague public relations ‘commitment’ should be ‘a source of comfort’ to plaintiffs. The truth is we are under threat and we do not believe Monsanto. The truth is that American farmers and the American people do not believe Monsanto. Family farmers deserve our day in court and this flawed ruling will not deter us from continuing to seek justice.” –organic farmer and OSGATA President, Jim Gerritsen
“While I have great respect for Judge Buchwald, her decision to deny farmers the right to seek legal protection from one of the world’s foremost patent bullies is gravely disappointing. Her belief that farmers are acting unreasonable when they stop growing certain crops to avoid being sued by Monsanto for patent infringement should their crops become contaminated maligns the intelligence and integrity of those farmers. Her failure to address the purpose of the Declaratory Judgment Act and her characterization of binding Supreme Court precedent that supports the farmers’ standing as ‘wholly inapposite’ constitute legal error. In sum, her opinion is flawed on both the facts and the law…” –Plaintiff lead attorney Daniel Ravicher