Pests in the Urban Landscape

Change is in the air. Weather, daylight savings, politics, holiday decorations, and yes, websites. You may have noticed the UC Statewide IPM Program's website is undergoing some style changes.

The invasive pest spotlight focuses on emerging or potential invasive pests in California. In this issue we are covering the Mediterranean fruit fly. Mediterranean Fruit Fly Facts The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, commonly called Medfly, attacks more than 260 different plant species.

The common insecticide imidacloprid, and the related active ingredients acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, and thiamethoxam, belong to the pesticide group neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids have been linked to the decline in honey bee and other pollinator populations.

Rainy, cool weather is fast approaching for many parts of California. To help you determine what to do in the landscape during this time of the year UC IPM offers a Seasonal Landscape IPM Checklist.

You might think ticks are found only on hiking trails or in wild, natural areas, but in some parts of California, ticks can also live in backyards and neighborhoods.