Beneficial insects can provide a lot of support in the garden. Natural enemies, which include predators, parasites, and pathogens, reduce pest populations and can help prevent damage to plants. Pollinators such as honeybees, native bees, butterflies, beetles, and other insects are essential for many vegetables you may be growing.

Natural Enemies

You may not have noticed many of these parasites, pathogens, and predators that help control pests in the garden, but they are there! Lady beetles (ladybugs), lacewings, and predaceous ground beetles are some common predators that you may find in your garden...

We took a look at which titles were of greatest interest during the first five months of the COVID-19 pandemic when many Californians were staying home. These are the top ten most viewed Pest Notes from March to August 2020.

#10 Pocket Gophers

Pocket gophers are active all year round but,...

Damage and...

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a new exotic pest that was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since moved to other nearby states (Figure 1). Everyone, including home gardeners and retail nursery and garden center employees, can play a significant role in keeping this exotic pest out of California by being the eyes and ears needed for early detection.

The spotted lanternfly is a sizable planthopper insect which is about 1 inch long and 0.5 inch wide (Figure 2). It originates from northern China and it can also be found in Vietnam,...