- Author: Ben Faber
The questions come in: "Why do my fruit look like this?"
Well there are often simple explanations. And often there are complex ones. But one way to start looking at a piece of fruit damage is to consult this wonder color brochure put out by UC - https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8090.pdf
This catalogs the most common fruit disorders - not all - but most that we see. Sometimes it requires more sleuthing, but start here first to get some answers and possible solutions.
- Author: Ben Faber
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- Author: Kirsten Pearsons
Bolas Spiders - Little Gauchos with an Appetite for Moths
When UC Santa Barbara's soccer team scores a goal, a chorus of “Olé! Olé, olé, olé! Gauchos! Gauchos!” may ring out across the stadium. Perhaps a similar chant should ring out across the region's farms?
The UCSB chant is inspired by their mascot, “El Gaucho.” Gaucho are cattle herders from South America, similar to the cowboys and vaqueros of North America. One notable difference between gauchos and cowboys, however, is their tools of the trade. Instead of rounding up cattle with lassos, gauchos use bolas: lengths of rope with weighed balls on the end, which when thrown, can entangle a running animal.
Although you are unlikely to find a gaucho rounding up cattle near the UCSB campus, you may come across a much smaller, gaucho-like spider as she rounds up some pesky moths. These little gauchos — known as bolas spiders — do not build classic spider webs. Instead, female bolas spiders produce a sticky blob at the end of a silk thread, which they swing around like bolas to entangle moths and other flying insects.
These sticky bolas, however, are short-range weapons. So how can a hungry bolas spider increase her chances of catching a meal? Through the power of seduction! Multiple species of bolas spiders, including the species found in Southern California, Mastophora cornigera, can produce smells that are similar to the sex pheromones of female moths. Unable to resist the scent, male moths are drawn in and become an easy meal for a hungry bolas spider.
Scientists have also figured out how to use pheromones to trick insects into sticky situations. Pheromone traps —pheromone lures paired with sticky cards or delta traps — are used by farmers, pest managers, and researchers to closely monitor insect populations. Such traps are used to monitor pest species like the diamondback moth (plutella xylostella), which can cause major damage to broccoli, cauliflower, and other cole crops grown throughout Coastal California. The diamondback moth pheromones may have taken years for scientists to identify and synthesize, but bolas spiders figured it out long ago.
Although we cannot rely on bolas spiders to control diamondback moth populations, they are nonetheless a helpful ally against this major pest. So, if you come across a bolas spider, feel free to chant “olé, olé, olé!” in appreciation.
Captions:
A drawing of a gaucho swinging bolas over his head (public domain, Wikimedia)
It pays to look like poop? Instead of trying to blend in, this southern bolas spider has a different approach to avoid would-be predators. Many spider and caterpillar species avoid would-be predators by masquerading as bird droppings. (Photo by Kirsten Pearsons)
Additional Web Resources:
https://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/spiders/Mastophora.htm
http://spiderbytes.org/2015/03/
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/153560-Mastophora-cornigera
- Author: Ben Faber
To Passionfruit Growers, packers, shippers:
Several state researchers with passionfruit are collaborating with Dr. Eric Stafne, Professor, Fruit Crops from Mississippi State University on a project to prioritize research and extension programs for the U.S. passionfruit industry. As a part of that effort we need your help in completing a brief survey (SEE LINK BELOW). If you have questions about the survey please call (Eric Stafne (tel: 601-403-8939) or Jeff Wasielewski (tel: 305-248-3311 x.227 or 305-282-7526). Please fill-in or return the survey by May 31, 2022 (sooner is better). Thanks. The survey is being done in preparation for a Passionfruit Meeting at the University of Florida
Survey link: https://msudafvm.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5oFY0ThcIoepwXQ
This survey will help all the researcher-extension faculty involved in this nationwide effort plan and apply for grants that could subsequently assist you with pest issues (insects, diseases), disorders, postharvest issues, and cultural practices.
To register for the meeting (to be held at U of F's Tropical Reserach and Extension Center, Homestead, FL) please follow the link below. It will be held both in person and by zoom. more information us forthcoming on the agenda
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-the-us-passion-fruit-industry-strategic-conference-registration-301652409477
Passionfruit interplanted with cherimoya
Etaferahu Takele, Area Farm Management Advisor, UCCE Southern California and Don Stewart, Staff Research Associate, Ag Issues Center
This article provides a sample estimate value of a lemon tree when a loss occurs due to fire or any other cause. Tree loss or damage by fire in southern California have occurred frequently (see a picture of an example of fire damage of citrus trees in southern California). Estimates may be needed for compensation.
The following example is calculated using the Trees and Vine Loss Calculator Excel Template Version 2.0. the template is available for download at https://coststudies.ucdavis.edu/en/tree-vine-loss . Tree loss values can be calculated in two options. One, with replanting where loss is estimated until the replacement eventually generates equivalent income to what the old tree would have generat4ed. The other option without replanting, the value of which is estimated over the expected life of the tree. The reason for without replanting may be due to age of the orchard or there is an easement, tight of way, or other reason.
The template, as we described before requires only basic knowledge of Excel. The formulas for calculations are embedded and a used guide/instruction page available with the template. Only some data regarding the tree lost is needed which includes the age of the tree at loss; its productivity history; estimated life; product price; and some production costs such as harvest6ing and pruning (costs that will vary with age of trees: as well as a discount rate for calculating the net present value (NPV) of the loss.
The value of loss is provided in NPV which is a discounted cash flows due to the time value of money (TMV). TMV is the concept that money you have now is worth more than that expected in the future due to its earning potential through investment and changes caused because of inflation or other factors. The discount rate or the rate used to account for time, will depend on the type of analysis undertaken. The appropriate discount rate could be the opportunity cost of putting money to work elsewhere—simply put, it's the rate of return one could earn in the marketplace for an investment of comparable size and risk.
CALCULATING THE VALUE OF A LEMON TREE LOSS
Option 1: With Replanting
Assuming that a single tree in an orchard lost at age 7 and removed before harvest but too late to replant that year, and replanted the following year. The compensation is the sum of the annual differences between the net income that would have been realized if the tree had survived (had not been lost) and the net income that is realized from the replacement tree until the lost tree and the new planted tree reach the age of comparable yield.
Option 2: Without Replanting
The compensation is the present value of the net income that would have been realized if the tree had survived through its expected life. The expected annual loss from the lost tree equals the expected revenue minus the pruning and harvest costs that would have been incurred if the tree had not been lost. Costs for damage to investments such as irrigation systems or trellis systems are not included in this calculation and should be determined separately.
Example:
In the example table below, The data for costs and income are based on the Sample Costs To Establish An Orchard And Produce Eureka Lemons study developed in 2020 for Ventura County. (https://coststudyfiles.ucdavis.edu/uploads/cs_public/38/fa/38fa8f9c-c93b-4c62-9740-a850bbc40df9/2020lemonsventuracounty.pdf. The loss value estimate was $436.70 for option with planting and 2,133.66 for option without replanting.
Data Entry and Printing
Data should only be entered into the yellow shaded cells in the General Data Input section. The spreadsheet is not password protected and should not be modified, otherwise the formulas will be messed up and the template will be out of use. The spreadsheet will automatically recalculate the net present value whenever new data is entered. Cells with zeros (0) in them will appear as blanks. The tree/vine spacing if not known or is on a non-square pattern, then the number of trees/vines per acre may be entered in the cell. A default print page range is set in the spreadsheet so that the general input and cost sections will print when the print button is pressed. More instruction in the Template.