Biological control is the beneficial action of predators, parasites, pathogens, and competitors in controlling pests and their damage. Biological control provided by these living organisms (collectively called "natural enemies") is especially important for reducing the numbers of pest insects and mites, but natural enemies can also contribute to the control of weed, pathogen, nematode or vertebrate pests.
In the recently revised Pest Note Biological Control and Natural Enemies of Invertebrates, authored by Steve Dreistadt of the UC Statewide IPM Program, you can learn more about how natural enemies are an important component of any...
The UC IPM Web site contains many useful features to help identify pests and problems in the garden and home. One such feature is the Weed Gallery, which contains images and identification tips for more than 150 common weeds.
If you think you know the name of your weed, the gallery allows you to quickly access photos using common or scientific names to confirm identification. Just use the “List of All Weeds” link from the main weed gallery page.
If you don't know what the weed is, the gallery will help you identify the plant using visual characteristics. First, narrow your search by selecting the weed category—broadleaf, grass,...
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
The UC Statewide IPM Program is hiring an Urban IPM Educator to assist with extending pest management information to a variety of urban audiences. This exciting position is perfect for anyone interested in pests, horticulture, teaching, and educating. The deadline to apply is January 22, so get your application in soon!
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Community Education Specialist III (Urban IPM Educator)
Location: UC ANR- Davis (Yolo County)
Under the direction of the Associate Director for Urban & Community IPM, the Urban IPM Educator will support the urban IPM outreach and education program by coordinating activities, carrying out train-the-trainer educational...
Identifying nontarget crop and ornamental plant damage from herbicides has become much easier, with the launch of a new online photo repository by the Statewide IPM Program, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Dr. Kassim Al-Khatib, weed science professor at UC Davis and Director of the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM), has gathered nearly a thousand photos of herbicide-damaged plants, drawn from his own and others' research. The images are cataloged to show damage that can occur from 81 herbicides in more than 14 specific herbicide modes of action, applied in field to demonstrate the symptoms or when known herbicide...
- Author: Igor Lacan
- Author: Steven Seybold
[From the December 2014 issue of the UC IPM Green Bulletin]
For at least a decade, thousand cankers disease (TCD) has been killing walnut trees across California wildlands and landscapes. The causative agent is a yeast-like fungus (Geosmithia morbida) spread by a tiny native beetle called the walnut twig beetle (Pityophthorus juglandis) (Figure 1). TCD has killed thousands of walnut trees and threatens not only ornamental and landscape trees but also English walnut trees in commercial orchards. Once a tree becomes infected no control is available; therefore, it is...
