From the UC Blogosphere...

They'll Light Up Your Life

Most scorpions glow under an ultraviolet light, but now a discovery on Alcatraz Island reveals that a certain species of...

This millipede (Xystocheir dissecta) glows under ultraviolet light. Alexander Nguyen of the UC Davis Entomology Club captured this image on Alcatraz, during one of UC Davis forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey's field trips.

This millipede (Xystocheir dissecta) glows under ultraviolet light. Alexander Nguyen of the UC Davis Entomology Club captured this image on Alcatraz, during one of UC Davis forensic entomologist Robert Kimsey's field trips.

Central Coast community celebrates strawberries

Arroyo Grande recently hosted its annual Strawberry Festival, said an article in the Santa Maria Times. And this year, the city has more than ever to celebrate. In 2011, strawberries took the top spot in terms of production value in the San Luis Obispo Agriculture Commissoner's crop report.

The county’s strawberries were valued at more than $179 million in 2011.

Surendra Dara, UC Cooperative Extension advisor in San Luis Obispo County, a strawberry expert, said the 2012 crop is still larger and doing very well. 

“In the fields I’ve been checking, they’re very tasty,” Dara said.
 
The factor that has the greatest impact on strawberry sweetness and flavor, he said, is variety. The most popular variety is the Albion, which was developed by the University of California. The UC-developed San Andreas variety is also popular.  

And Now, Your California State Insect...

There's always something special going on at the Bohart Museum of Entomology on the UC Davis campus. But this Sunday, June...

Egg of a California dogface butterfly. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

Egg of a California dogface butterfly. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

California dogface butterfly emerging from chrysalis. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

California dogface butterfly emerging from chrysalis. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

Newly emerged California dogface butterfly. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

Newly emerged California dogface butterfly. (Photo by Greg Kareofelas)

Bumble Bee's Daily Commute?

If you've ever been to Angel Island or Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay, you may have seen them.Bumble bees.And...

Yellow-faced bumble bee lands on The Morning Star. (Photo taken with an IPhone)

Yellow-faced bumble bee lands on The Morning Star. (Photo taken with an IPhone)

The characteristic yellow band on the abdomen of Bombus vosnesenskii. The bee landed on the boat and after a 10-minute rest, took off.

The characteristic yellow band on the abdomen of Bombus vosnesenskii. The bee landed on the boat and then after a 10-minute rest, took off.

What the Statewide Master Gardener Program Does for Us: Part II

This is is the second in a series of short articles on the benefits we receive from the Statewide Master Gardener Office. The Office coordinates a Statewide Master Gardener conference every few years, with the last one being in Santa Rosa in 2011.  Conferences have previously been held at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, San Jose, and Sacramento. They are always stimulating, informative, and enjoyable.  They also are a tremendous amount of work, and the state office is essential in making it happen.

The next conference will be in 2014. The results of a statewide poll are now in, and the preference for location was heavily in favor of the Tenaya Lodge near the south entrance of Yosemite National Park. The Tenaya is a beautiful facility in a gorgeous location, and I'm certainly looking forward to spending a few days there when 2014 rolls around!



What are some of your favorite memories from past conferences? Will you attend Master Gardener Conference 2014? 

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