- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
(Credit: Washington State Department of Agriculture)
First things first: "murder" hornets, or more correctly, the Asian giant hornet, have NOT been found in California.
The term murder hornet is also not quite accurate. It attacks honey bees, which isn't desirable of course, but the important thing to note that this insect's purpose is not to murder humans. Right now in California, we are keeping an eye out for this insect so there is no need to worry, yet.
The news and social media have been filled with stories about the Asian giant hornet (AGH) but here are some facts from credible sources:
- Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) is the world's largest species of hornet, measuring between 1.5 - 2 inches.
- The stinger of AGH is longer than...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
- Posted by: Elaine Lander
Coyote sightings are on the rise in San Francisco, even taking naps in patches of green spaces in the city, reported Uma Chrobak in Popular Science. However, it is unlikely they indicate a change in wildlife behavior, said UC Cooperative Extension human-wildlife interactions advisor Niamh Quinn.
Officials believe the increased sightings may have more to do with a change in human behavior. Many people are at home and bored, so they may staring out the window and going on more walks in their neighborhoods.
- Author: Elaine Lander
For the last two years, UC IPM has shared an Easter egg photo quiz with insect and spider eggs and egg cases. In case you want to play again, this post is from our 2018 egg hunt and this post is our 2019 egg hunt.
This year, with everyone sheltering-in-place, we want you to hunt for insect eggs and share photos with UC IPM! As you are planting seeds, weeding, watering the plants, or out in nature, keep an eye out for eggs hiding in plain...
On Wednesday, April 8, UC Ag Experts Talk will be hosting a webinar titled From Integrated Pest Management to Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management: An Update on Current Research on Pollinator Health.
This is a 2.5 hrs in-person meeting converted into a webinar. You will hear about the current research to keep bees healthy from leading experts in the field - Dr. Quinn McFrederick and Dr. Boris Baer from UC Riverside. The webinar will start at 9 am. It will consist of two presentations...
- Author: Dong-Hwan Choe
- Author: Kathleen Campbell
- Author: Michael K Rust
- Posted by: Elaine Lander
Many parks, recreational areas, and outdoor venues in California are home to yellowjacket wasps (Vespula spp.). Yellowjackets are commonly attracted to human food items, creating a serious nuisance and a potential stinging threat. If found, nests (usually underground) can be effectively treated with targeted insecticide applications (e.g., dusts containing pyrethroids). However, baiting could be a feasible alternative method to suppress yellowjackets over a wide area, especially if nests cannot be located. Currently, only one active ingredient (esfenvalerate) is registered for use within bait in California to control yellowjackets,...
