- (Strategic Initiative) Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases
- Author: Beatriz Nobua-Behrmann
UC ANR program trains volunteers to accurately identify and report infested trees, protecting forests and encouraging civic engagement through participatory science.
The Issue
Invasive pests are one of the main threats to our urban and natural forests. Tiny beetles, like the invasive shothole borers (ISHB), attack trees and cause their decline and death. Even though ISHB can have devastating effects to urban and natural forests throughout Southern California, many trees can still be saved with proper management, allowing infested areas to recover over time. Detecting infestations early is key for successful management of this pest and to prevent spread to new areas.
Participatory science can...
- Author: Niamh Quinn
- Author: Kit Alviz
After attending West Coast Rodent Academy, 75% of participants implemented improved rodent management skills, decreasing negative environmental impacts and demonstrating UC ANR's commitment to protecting California's natural resources.
The Issue
Commensal rodents, rats and mice, are among the most economically significant pests in the world. Three species of commensal rodents (Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus, and Mus musculus) are found in almost all California cities. These rodents exist in close proximity to human populations and are regularly found in homes, schools,...
- Author: Siavash Taravati
Red imported fire ant (RIFA) control routine guidelines adopted by Los Angeles County school , protecting 500 school students from stings and contributing to improved community health and wellness.
The Issue
- Author: Kris E. Tollerup
Because of UC ANR's IPM research on spider mites and almonds, 80,000 acres were not treated with miticide, saving $2.2 million and reducing CO2 greenhouse gas emissions by 880,000 pounds.
The Issue
The almond industry in California produces approximately 80% of the world's almond supply and currently consists of approximately 1.2 million bearing and non-bearing acres. In an effort to reduce the risk of economic loss from spider mite damage, producers have adopted the strategy of applying a preventative miticide during the month of May – a period when mite populations typically are well below the...
- Author: David Haviland
- Author: Jhalendra Rijal
- Author: Emily Symmes
As a result of UC ANR's Almond Pest Management Alliance Project, use of mating disruption as an ecologically sustainable pest management practice tripled over two years by growers and pest control advisers who influence over 400,000 acres of almonds in the San Joaquin Valley.
The Issue
Navel orangeworm is the single most important pest of more than 1.3 million acres of almonds in California. It feeds exclusively on almond kernels, rendering them unmarketable. Larvae are also associated with Aspergillus sp. fungi which can produce aflatoxin contamination of...
