[From the May 2017 issue of the UC IPM Green Bulletin]
The bronze bug (Thaumastocoris peregrinus) (Fig. 1), a serious and potentially damaging, sap-sucking insect pest of eucalypts, has very recently been detected in southern California. This pest is reported to destroy extensive areas of leaf tissue, often giving it a bronze tint, turning it yellow, red, and then brown to tan. Damage from the bronze bug eventually leads to leaf loss, canopy thinning, branch die back, and even tree death. A wide host range and its ability to survive in a variety of...
/span>As cherries begin to ripen on backyard fruit trees, you'll want to monitor the fruit for pests, especially an invasive species called the spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).
The spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is a new pest to California (since 2008). It's a small fly that attacks ripening cherries, and may also attack ripening raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and strawberry crops, especially in coastal areas. When conditions are right, the fly can also attack soft-fleshed fruit such as plums, plumcots, nectarines, and figs.
If your cherry tree has SWD, you might notice that fruit flesh has one or more small punctures or “stings” on the surface. These symptoms are evidence of the eggs laid...
It's National Invasive Species Week (February 27-March 3), which may prompt the question, “what exactly is an invasive species?” A truly invasive species is a non-native plant, animal or pathogen that causes or may cause economic problems, or threaten the environment or human health.
Why should this matter to you? Every 60 days, our state gains a new and potentially damaging invasive species. Because the things you do can directly impact the environment and economy of California, here are the top 10 ways:
- Learn about the invasive species that live in your region. Check with your county agricultural extension...
The UC Statewide IPM Program is still looking for qualified individuals to assist with developing urban IPM publications and materials. The deadline to apply for the new urban Writer/Editor position has been extended until February 6, 2017.
Duties of this position include writing, editing, and copy editing a wide variety of professional-quality informational and outreach materials written by UC IPM academics, staff, or others. Materials include a variety of publications such as regularly updated publication series, technical manuscripts written for a lay audience, news and informational pieces, and other documents...
- Author: Niamh Quinn
In October 2016, the University of California Cooperative Extension, Orange County, in association with the Pest Control Operators of California, Target Specialty Products, and Univar, hosted a three-day West Coast Rodent Academy for pest management professionals. The event was held at University of California's Agricultural and Natural Resources South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine, CA.
At the academy, participants learned about rodent identification, rodent disease, sanitation, monitoring, trapping, and urban rodent surveys. Participants were provided with opportunities to learn about good environmental stewardship practices and provided with updates on the laws and regulations concerning trapping and the use of...