Q: What are these giant mosquito-like insects flying around my house. Are they dangerous? Do I need to do something about them?
A: These are crane flies (Tipulidae species). Although they look like giant mosquitoes, they are harmless and are considered beneficial decomposers in our garden soil in their immature life stage. They have a reputation for eating mosquitoes but it is not true. They are numerous as adults now as they fly about seeking mates. They are attracted to lights and might get inside homes but fear not, they are harmless and can be escorted outside. I find they make nice toys for cats for a short while. You might recall their maggots coming to the surface in the big rain we had a month or so ago.
Q: This creature was hovering and fluttering in a container pot early this morning. What is it?
A: The creature in question is a moth commonly known as the white-lined sphinx (Hyles lineata). The adult moths are common in the spring and are sometimes referred to as hummingbird moths due to their ability to hover over flowers to extract nectar. They are also not much smaller than a humming bird and can be mistaken for one as they move about. As caterpillars, they feed on a variety of desert plants and are not really a pest of anything in particular. We sometimes see a mass migration of their black striped, yellow/green caterpillars in the fall as they seek places to pupate in the soil.
Q: What types of grape varieties do well in Southern Arizona?
A: Probably the most abundant grape variety for Southern Arizona is Thompson Seedless. Itβs one of the most popular grapes for eating fresh, with a sweet but mild flavor. The berries are medium-size and the clusters large with greenish white to golden berries. Thompson Seedless is the variety most often used for making raisins. Other recommended table grape varieties include Cardinal (dark red berries), Perlette (pale green berries) and Flame Seedless (red berries).
If youβre interested in making wine, several European wine grapes also grow and produce well in our area. Some of the best reds for our hot climate include Shiraz, Petite Sirah, Barbera, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. Recommended white wine grapes include Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Pinot Grigio.
