Upcoming Citrus Extension Outreach Meetings at LREC

August 20, 2024. Register here for AAIE Organized Citrus Roundtable for SJV growers: This is an opportunity for citrus pest control advisors to get together and talk about how they manage pests.  The round table will discuss Ant Control, ACP, Thrips, Red Scale, Mealybug, Weed management, current regulations and pest management problems citrus pest control advisors have had.  UCANR's Dr. Sandipa Gautam, Cooperative Extension Area Citrus IPM Advisor, David Haviland, Entomology and Pest Management Farm Advisor, Jorge Antonio Angeles, Weed Management Advisor, Dr. Bodil Cass, UCR Subtropical crops Specialist, and Chris Greer Assistant Ag Commissioner, Tulare County will be presenting at this meeting.

 September 24, 2024: Register here for Citricola Scale Field Day: Citricola scale has been a problem in year 2024. This 2 hour event will focus on teaching PCAs on pest identification, monitoring, and best management practices manage citricola scale. 

October 2, 2024: Register here for California red scale and its natural enemies workshop. A day dedicated to California red scale and its natural enemies is back! This hands-on workshop at Lindcove will teach PCAs how to recognize the various life stages of California red scale and their parasites with dedicated time to work with each life stage.  With this knowledge PCAs can determine the level of parasitism of California red scale in their citrus orchards and make better decisions about scale control tactics. Seat is limited to 30 students.

October 9, 2024: Register here for Fall Citrus Meeting at Lindcove. Are you looking for one meeting where you can learn about various issues in citrus production? UC Researchers bring to you a Fall Citrus Meeting at Lindcove Research and Extension Center on October 9, 2024. This meeting will cover nutrient management and irrigation, insect pest, disease, weed management and regulatory pest and top issues and regulations followed by a group discussion to identify grower needs pertaining to various topics. 

September 11, 2024: Register here for “Workshop on the Biology and Identification of Phytoseiid Predatory Mites in Agriculture” This workshop will teach students about the importance of predatory mites in agricultural crops and the basics of how to identify them to species level.  Each student will have their own phase contrast microscope and access to a set of slide-mounted specimens to work through “The Key to Genera of Phytoseiidae Found on Crop Plants in California”. Learn from the experts – Dr. Beth Grafton-Cardwell will be leading the class with David Haviland. Seat is limited to 30 students. Full Agenda attached. This workshop will be held at Kearney REC, 9240 S. Riverbend Avenue, Parlier, CA.

2024 seems like a year of citricola scale. This season, pest control advisors have reported significant numbers of citricola scale in the San Joaquin Valley. Citricola scale, a soft bodied scale insect is sap sucking pest of citrus that thrives in cooler temperatures. This pest is not a problem every year, but may quitely build up population and explode when weather conditions are favorable. It cause damage by sucking sap leading to twig death and reduce yield. Citricola produces honeydew, thereby making leaves and fruit covered with black sooty mold. Damage thresholds are low for, 1 adult scale/twig or 0.5 1st instar/leaf. It can be best managed by understanding how and when to apply treatments. A field day will teach PCAs how to recognize various life stages, differenciate between live and dead scales, and discussion of best management options available.  

When: Tuesday September 24, 2024, 9:00-11 am

Where: Lindcove Research and Extension Center; 22963 Carson Ave., Exeter, CA 93221

Register for the event using this link

 Instructor: Dr. Sandipa Gautam

 Course Objective: To teach PCAs how to recognize the various life stages of citricola scale and the natural enemies that attack them. Identify between a dead and a live scale and field demonstration of pesticide efficacy. Citricola scale management strategies will be discussed.  

 9-9:30 a.m. Registration: Lindcove REC

9:30-11 a.m.

A. Powerpoint presentation by Sandipa Gautam on the biology of citricola life cycle, identification, and its natural enemies. Efficacy of foliar and soil applications for citricola scale control will also be discussed.

B. Identification citricola scale and differentiation between live and dead scale

C. Field demonstration of citricola scale infestation, sampling methods, and effects of insecticide treatments to control scale.

Continuing Education 2.0 other units pending approval.

In 2024, there has been an increasing report of significant numbers of citricola scale in the San Joaquin Valley. Damage thresholds are low for citricola scale, 1 adult scale/twig or 0.5 1st instar/leaf.  Because this pest produces a large number of eggs (1000/female), populations can build up quickly under right weather conditions. Cooler and wetter weather conditions in April/May meant higher egg hatch and nymph survival increasing the infestation in 2024 season.

•Citricola scale trial, 2013;  Citricola scale trial 2014 •Citricola scale trial, 2015; Citricola scale trial, 2016 •Citricola scale trial, 2017; Citricola scale trial 2018 •Citricola scale trial, 2019 ; Citricola scale trial 2023

Based on the CIMIS weather station data, we have enough degree days for the second generation of California red scale. Crawlers have started emerging.

Degree days as of June 27, 2024

BMPs for CRS Management

• Monitor for CRS
• Pheromone cards for monitoring males, weekly or per flight.
• Leaf/twig sampling – sample the edge, interior or top of the tree. Determine if the scale is alive or dead by rubbing your thumb.
• Management choices for CRS – Mating disruption (CheckMate CRS), Biological control Aphytis melinus release; insecticides (Check UCIPM guidelines)  
• Spray applications are most effective when populations consist of immatures and are synchronized. Spray as crawlers of the first or second generation are emerging. Expect first generation crawlers beginning this week in Kern, Tulare counties and in 1-2 weeks depending on location of your orchard.  
• Plan for a thorough coverage (750-1000), drive <1.5 mph, except for Movento – apply at 250 GPA.