- (Focus Area) Pest Management
- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
- Author: Mike Hsu
- Author: Saoimanu Sope
From Siskiyou County through Riverside County, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has hired UC Cooperative Extension experts to help Californians address challenging issues.
The eight recently hired UC Cooperative Extension specialists, advisors and coordinators bring expertise in urban pest management, healthy families, regenerative agriculture, plant science, small farms and food safety to their communities.
Since 1914, UC Cooperative Extension researchers have been working directly with community members to improve their lives and livelihoods.
To see a list of UC Cooperative Extension experts who have joined in the past few months, visit https://ucanr.edu/About/DirectorySearch/Recent_Hires. The most recently hired scientists are introduced below.
Lee brings expertise in urban pest behavior to Capitol Corridor IPM role
Sang-Bin Lee joined UC ANR as the urban integrated pest management advisor for the Capitol Corridor – comprising Sacramento, Yolo and Solano counties – to help communities manage urban pests such as cockroaches, termites and ants.
“My high-level hope is to improve public health and the well-being of people in the Capitol Corridor region by implementing and improving the IPM program,” Lee said.
A native of South Korea, Lee earned his bachelor's in biology from Pusan National University. After working in the food manufacturing sector (which included a stint in Brazil, where he learned basic Portuguese), Lee decided to pursue his passion for studying animal behaviors. During his master's program in ecology at Pusan National University, Lee investigated behavioral changes in zebrafish after pathogen infection.
“My goal was to detect fish with symptoms much earlier than conventional methods to prevent the spread of pathogens in fish farms,” he said.
Intrigued by research on social insects, Lee went on to earn a Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Florida, where he studied the social behaviors of termites. Lee has published 34 peer-reviewed articles in professional journals and has received several awards from Entomological Society of America and other professional societies.
He said that he finds urban pest management to be a fascinating discipline – and a very rewarding endeavor – in the field of entomology.
“My interests lie in the behavior of urban pests, and studying their behavior often provides a great opportunity to improve control measures,” Lee explained. “I have had many opportunities to communicate with people from the pest control industry and homeowners; conversations with these people often inspire me to work harder to help those who need my assistance.”
Lee is based in Fairfield, at the UC Cooperative Extension office in Solano County, and can be reached at sablee@ucanr.edu and (530) 574-9835. He is on X/Twitter @SangBinLee4.
New farm advisor Singh to bring latest research to Siskiyou County
Jagdeep Singh recently joined UC ANR as the agronomy advisor for Siskiyou County. In this capacity, Singh will primarily focus on crop production in alfalfa, pasture and small grains, as well as pest control and water management.
Originally from Punjab, India's agriculture-rich state, Singh brings a unique perspective to his work.
“My passion lies in directly impacting the lives of farmers who feed the world,” he said. “I'm driven by a constant thirst for knowledge and a commitment to bridging the gap between the most up-to-date research and practical, on-farm solutions. What motivates me is understanding farmers' needs and providing science-based answers to their questions.”
Singh earned a B.S. from Punjab Agricultural University, an M.S. from New Mexico State University, and a Ph.D. from Auburn University.
During his Ph.D. studies, he assessed 70 years of cotton breeding impacts on yield, nutrient relations and root architecture, while also studying cover crops for soil health improvement. His M.S. work focused on guar, evaluating its growth, yield, water extraction patterns and water use efficiency under deficit irrigation, as well as identifying cold-tolerant germplasm for cooler regions of the Southern High Plains.
In his new role at UC ANR, Singh aims to build strong relationships with the local community, certified crop advisers and industry groups, leveraging the well-established extension system.
Singh can be reached by email at fgssingh@ucanr.edu or by calling the UCCE Siskiyou office at (530) 842-2711.
Rosenberg joins UCCE as regenerative agriculture farm advisor
Sara Rosenberg joined UCCE as a regenerative agriculture farm advisor for Mariposa, Merced and Stanislaus counties.
Her disciplinary focuses are agroecology, sustainable nutrient management, and extension research and methodology. Her past research centers on understanding the implications of diversification (with a focus on crop rotations and cover crops) for California rice systems. For her master's program thesis, she conducted a countywide assessment to learn from rice growers about their experiences with crop rotations and understand barriers to adoption, opportunities, and required resources for successful implementation. This two-year study engaged grower communities to help develop research goals for her Ph.D. studies.
Her doctoral research explored how different summer crop rotations affect multiple sustainability factors including soil health, crop yields, weeds, input use and economics. She also assessed different cover-crop species performance in rice environments and their carbon and nitrogen contributions.
She earned a master's in international agriculture development and a Ph.D. in horticulture and agronomy from UC Davis.
Prior to working on her Ph.D., Rosenberg was an agriculture advisor in the Peace Corps for more than three years. She worked closely with smallholder farmers in West Africa, implementing conservation agriculture programs and increasing agricultural resilience in both annual crops and tree crops, mainly in the cashew forestry sector. In California, she has worked on farms for more than eight years, including running her own small, diversified farm in Woodland.
She is passionate about community-led development and using participatory research as a powerful tool for developing sustainable solutions. Her aim is to develop collaborative programming that will support a wide range of farm types, including commercial and small-scale, organic and conventional, annual crops, tree and vine crops, and livestock production systems.
She is developing a robust research program aimed at assessing farm sustainability impact across ecological, agronomic, social and economic factors. She will be collaborating with farmers to help overcome barriers to adopting regenerative practices and build their capacity to advance sustainability goals. Rosenberg also will be developing and promoting tested integrative management practices that increase climate resilience and ecosystem sustainability across diverse farming environments.
Rosenberg is based in Mariposa and can be reached at srosenberg@ucanr.edu and (209) 966-2417 ext. 1417.
Sangha joins UCCE as community water systems advisor
Laljeet Sangha joined UCCE as a community water systems advisor for Kern, Tulare and Kings counties.
To enhance community resilience, Sangha will lead an integrated extension education and applied research program in water resource management and community development.
He will address critical questions regarding the impacts of environmental stressors, such as chronic long-term droughts, water contamination and increased groundwater demand. Additionally, he will assist in water system consolidations and help communities meet regulatory goals such as those set by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP).
Originally from Punjab, India, Sangha earned his undergraduate degree in agricultural engineering from Punjab Agricultural University. He received his M.S. in biosystems engineering from Auburn University and his Ph.D. in biological systems engineering at Virginia Tech.
Sangha's early research focused on the influence of climate variability on ecologically sustainable water withdrawals from streams for irrigation. For his doctoral studies, he evaluated the impact of permit exemptions, climate change and demand growth on water supply. Additionally, he developed methods to quantify unreported water use for crop irrigation.
Sangha also has collaborated on projects in the Colorado River Basin, which explore why the Colorado River no longer reaches the sea. His work includes evaluating the effects of limited water availability on irrigation operations and developing adaptive options for farming communities in the basin.
Sangha is based in Bakersfield and can be reached at lsangha@ucanr.edu.
Beveridge joins ANR's Small Farms team
Claire Beveridge joined UC ANR as a small farms water-conservation academic coordinator for Fresno, Tulare and Madera counties. She is also part of the statewide UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, or SAREP.
As an academic coordinator, Beveridge supports small-scale, diversified and socially disadvantaged farmers in Fresno and surrounding areas in on-farm water conservation through education, technical assistance, outreach and research activities. This encompasses aiding farmers with improved irrigation practices and technologies, groundwater regulation compliance and on-farm groundwater recharge.
She also facilitates small-scale farmer access to state incentives for water and energy efficiency, as well as drought and flood relief programs. Beveridge also helps to inform state water policy on the unique needs of small-scale farms.
She is broadly interested in fostering sustainable water resource management through interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches among communities, decisionmakers and researchers.
Beveridge holds a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering with an emphasis in hydrology from the University of Washington. She conducted postdoctoral research at Florida International University and earned her bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering from UC Berkeley. She is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer in California, an inaugural editor of the Community Science Exchange journal and resource hub, and recently completed a USDA International Agriculture Education Fellowship in Uganda.
“I grew up in Madera and am excited to be serving my home region as part of UC ANR,” she said.
Beveridge is based in Fresno and can be reached at cbeveridge@ucanr.edu.
Pourkhalili to promote healthy families and communities
Azin Pourkhalili joined UCCE as a youth, family and community advisor for Kern, Inyo and Mono counties.
In her role, she will promote healthy families and communities by designing, delivering and evaluating strategies for encouraging nutrition and physical activity in youth and their families. Additionally, she will provide academic oversight of community education and outreach program staff who work with families and youth, including the UC 4-H Youth Development Program, CalFresh Healthy Living UC Nutrition Education Program, Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Juntos.
Pourkhalili brings over six years of experience in conducting health intervention research programs, including their development, implementation and evaluation.
Before moving to California, Pourkhalili was a Virginia Cooperative Extension research scientist. She worked on multiple health intervention projects, including nutrition education for older adults through the Elder Nutrition and Food Safety program and the prevention and management of chronic diseases through programs such as the Lifestyle Change Program, Diabetes Prevention Program, Balance Living with Diabetes, and Kick'n Cancer. She also collaborated with the Virginia Department of Health on various projects.
Pourkhalili's academic background encompasses the latest research in nutrition and physical activity education programs, chronic disease prevention programs and health education programs for different age groups. Building on her experience in implementing and evaluating nutrition education programs, her future research aims to address the unique health education needs of diverse communities in California. She plans to continue researching the evaluation and effectiveness of health education programs, such as CalFresh Healthy Living UC, EFNEP and 4-H.
She holds a Ph.D. in human nutrition, food and exercise, specializing in community and behavioral science, and a graduate certificate in gerontology from Virginia Tech.
Pourkhalili is based in Bakersfield and can be reached at apourkhalili@ucanr.edu.
Atume to provide small farms SGMA technical assistance
Ngodoo Atume joined UC ANR as a Sustainable Groundwater Management Act small farms technical assistance coordinator in the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.
She will provide technical information, services, policy analysis and recommendations needed to engage and protect small-scale farmers in the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
Before joining UC ANR, Atume worked as a water policy analyst advocating for the implementation of the Human Right to Water in California. She also worked on the inclusion of underrepresented stakeholders in SGMA, Central Valley Salinity Alternative Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS) and the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP).
Born and raised in Nigeria, Atume earned her bachelor's degree in water resources and environmental engineering at Ahmadu Bello University, where her research focused on the treatment and reuse of wastewater. She has a master's degree in sustainable water management from Tufts University.
Atume is based at the UC ANR office in Davis and can be reached at natume@ucanr.edu.
Fujiyoshi joins Capitol Corridor small farms team
Phillip Fujiyoshi joined UCCE small farms team in the Capitol Corridor as an extension and research associate. Working with Margaret Lloyd, UCCE small farms advisor, Fujiyoshi supports underserved farmers in Yolo, Sacramento and Solano counties by providing them with financial and agronomic technical assistance and making extension materials available in Spanish.
Born and raised in Santa Maria, Fujiyoshi earned his bachelor's degree in biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His academic knowledge of Spanish transformed into bilingual proficiency thanks to his life experiences of living with Spanish roommates, participating in a tree-planting brigade in Nicaragua and setting up a Spanish-speaking household with a Nicaraguan partner. The Nicaragua trip also sparked his lasting interest in agriculture, leading him into doctoral studies in agroecology at UC Santa Cruz.
After completing his Ph.D., Fujiyoshi performed molecular assays, contributed to phylogenetic studies, and led a spore-trapping field study in a lab studying grapevine trunk diseases. In addition, he pursued outside interests in agriculture, including winning an individual grant to study cabbage aphid behavior, pursuing informal cover crop trials in a community garden plot, volunteering on the UC Davis Student Farm, and giving agronomic advice to growers at the farmers market.
Fujiyoshi is based in Woodland and can be reached at (530) 666-8143 and pfujiyoshi@ucanr.edu.
- Author: Sarah Marsh
- Editor: Taiyu Guan
- Editor: Consuelo B Baez Vega
We have had some interesting calls lately concerning issues we do not usually see in the fields. We have received calls about small circular areas with “snipped” rice in fields west of I-5.
As we stood at the edge of the field, a quiet rustle alerted us. We spotted a small, brown rodent slipping into the field, likely a Norway rat based on the length of the hairless tail, which was shorter than the length of the rodent's body.
The Norway rat is probably the most serious vertebrate pest of rice and it can feed throughout the season, from seedling stage to ripening grain. However, we have not seen a large amount of damage from these rodents, indicating that the level of infestation is not high enough to warrant treatment.
Bait boxes, zinc phosphide, and aluminum phosphine tablets are options for control (2024); however, there are additional requirements for these besides an applicator license or certificate. Zinc phosphide and aluminum phosphine are CA Restricted Materials and an additional Burrowing Vertebrate Fumigation qualification is required for aluminum phosphine use. If conditions suggest that rodenticide is the best option, the rodenticide and application method should be chosen with regard for potential non-target hazards. Consult your Agricultural Commissioner for specific information.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
For the beekeepers that's easy. They dislike the pests known as "wax moths" and their larvae.
The female wax moths hang around the hives at night and when the opportunity arises, slip in to lay their eggs. If the colony is weak, this pest can take over.
The honey bee bible, The Hive and the Honey Bee (Dadant Publication), says the wax moth female "produces less than 300 eggs during her life span of 3 to 30 days, but a few lay as many as 2000 eggs. Mated females fly to beehives one to three hours after dark, enter, and lay eggs until they leave shortly before daylight."
The Hive and the Honey Bee authors relate that "the presence of the wax moth larvae usually signals a major problem such as queenlessness, an infectious disease, poisoning and starvation."
In his book, Honey Bee Biology (2023 Princeton University), bee scientist Brian Johnson, associate professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, touches on colony pests in addition to his indepth coverage of everything from molecular genetics, development, and physiology to neurobiology, behavior, and pollination biology.
Johnson writes in part: "The greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) and the lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella) are old and well-known pests of honey bees. The female moth lays her eggs on the comb and the larvae consume the wax, pollen and honey. In nature, these pests are mainly a threat to weak colonies, as strong colonies can kill their larvae." He goes on to mention that beekeepers who inadequately store large amounts of wax combs may be subject to wax moth infestations. He recommends air tight storage and the use of mothballs.
The larvae are not always unwanted. They've been introduced as an alternative model to study microbial infections.
So, in keeping with National Moth Week, the Bohart Museum of Entomology is hosting its annual Moth Night from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 20 at its headquarters in Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building, 455Crocker Lane, UC Davis. Inside, Jeff Smith, curator of the Bohart's Lepidoptera collection, and his colleagues will be displaying moth specimens and answering questions. Outside, Bohart research associate John "Moth Man" De Benedictus will set up a blacklighting display, complete with white sheet and a UV light to attract moths and other night-flying insects.
The open house is free and family friendly. Also free: hot chocolate and cookies, according to Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator.
Founded in 1946, the Bohart Museum is the home of a global collection of eight million insect specimens. It also features a petting zoo (including Madagascar hissing cockroaches, walking sticks and tarantulas) and a gift shop stocked with insect-themed t-shirts, hoodies, books, posters, jewelry and more. The museum is directed by Professor Jason Bond, the Evert and Marion Schlinger Endowed Chair, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, and associate dean, Agricultural Sciences, UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
- Author: National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)
Acetic acid, also known as vinegar, is used in products for weed control. Many people choose it because it is natural. However, acetic acid can damage skin and eyes, especially at concentrations commonly found in weed killers.
What is the difference between acetic acid, vinegar, and horticultural vinegar?
You may know acetic acid best as vinegar. Vinegar is a solution of acetic acid in water. Acetic acid is a naturally occurring substance that is found in all living things. It is formed during fermentation. Acetic acid can also be made industrially. It is used in many industrial processes, including the manufacture of dyes, plastics, some drugs, and other industrial chemicals. It is also used in textile printing.
Household vinegar such as distilled white vinegar used for cleaning or cooking generally contains 4-6% acetic acid, which is diluted in water. Higher strength acetic acid solutions are sold for other purposes. Horticultural vinegar typically refers to a concentrated solution of 20% or more acetic acid. It is sold to kill weeds. You may find even higher concentrations of acetic acid sold in stores or online.
Are there health risks of using vinegar/acetic acid?
Acetic acid is irritating to the eyes and skin. At concentrations above those usually found in household vinegar, it can be extremely irritating or corrosive. Acetic acid can permanently damage the corneas if it gets into your eyes. It can burn skin and the tissues of your mouth and throat if you accidentally swallow it. People have had irritation in their nose, throat, and in their lungs if they breathed in enough of the vapor.
Never leave any pesticide unattended around children or pets. Never leave any pesticide in an unlabeled container. "Natural" does not mean "safe!" Remember, the dose makes the poison. The higher the concentration of acetic acid, the greater the risk.
How does vinegar/acetic acid kill weeds?
Acetic acid is a non-selective contact herbicide. It must touch the foliage of the plant in order to work. It does not damage tissue it does not touch. It does not travel throughout the plant. Acetic acid breaks open cell walls and causes cell death. The plants die by drying out.
Acetic acid breaks down rapidly in the environment. It does not leave a residue.
Acetic acid readily turns into a vapor. Like other chemicals, warmer temperatures increase volatilization, or turning into a vapor. The vapor can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs if breathed in. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of the vapor can cause fluid buildup in the lungs.
What sort of pesticide/herbicide products contain vinegar/acetic acid?
Products containing vinegar/acetic acid that have been registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) as pesticides/herbicides will have a signal word and an EPA registration number on their packaging. Label information includes where and how to use the product, what precautions to take, personal protective gear to wear while using the product, and first aid instructions in case something goes wrong.
Products registered to be used as herbicides have high concentrations of acetic acid, typically 20% or more. All registered herbicides containing acetic acid have a signal word of DANGER because of the high concentrations and high toxicity. Specifically, it is because of the risks of the acid to the eyes and skin. Low concentrations of acetic acid are used in insect lures.
Acetic acid is available commercially for many purposes. Consider purchasing a product registered as a pesticide if you plan to use acetic acid for weed control. Doing so means you will have directions for use as an herbicide and information on precautions you can take to keep risks low. Products that do not have an EPA registration number and signal word are not registered to be used as herbicides and may not have appropriate safety or precautionary information for that use. Look for an EPA Registration Number and a signal word to ensure you are purchasing a registered product.
How can I reduce the risks when using vinegar/acetic acid?
- Any time you use a pesticide, always read and follow all label instructions. The label is the law.
- If the label specifies personal protective equipment, you must use that equipment.
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, shoes, socks, and gloves at a minimum whenever using any pesticide.
- Consider wearing protective eye wear and chemical resistant gloves when mixing, diluting, or applying vinegar as an herbicide because of its acidic and corrosive nature. The label instructions may require their use.
- Keep everyone else away from the treatment area until dry.
- Keep all pesticides away from children and pets. Remember that horticultural vinegar can badly damage your eyes or blind you!
- Consider integrated pest management strategies that do not use chemicals to control weeds.
For more information about pesticides and pesticide safety, visit the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) website at npic.orst.edu.
[Originally featured in the Summer 2024 edition of the Home and Garden Pest Newsletter]
- Author: Michael Hsu
Detection of fungus causing red leaf blotch spurs call for grower vigilance
Symptoms of red leaf blotch (RLB), a plant disease caused by the fungus Polystigma amygdalinum, have been observed for the first time in California across the Northern San Joaquin Valley.
Molecular DNA testing by the laboratory of Florent Trouillas, University of California Cooperative Extension fruit and nut crop pathology specialist, has detected P. amygdalinum. Pest identification was confirmed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The disease, named for the characteristic orange-to-dark red blotches that appear on infected leaves, is typically nonlethal for trees but has been a long-standing problem for almond-growing regions across the Mediterranean. Causing trees to lose their leaves prematurely, the fungal pathogen can significantly diminish crop yields in the current year and the next.
“It is one of the most severe diseases of almonds for Spain and the Middle East,” said Trouillas, an associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Pathology. He recently co-authored an explanatory article on the UCCE San Joaquin Valley Trees and Vines blog.
With symptomatic trees seen in multiple orchards across Madera, Merced, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, Trouillas said RLB is already “somewhat widespread.”
“From the first observations so far, it seems like it affects some of the most-planted cultivars, like Nonpareil and Monterey,” he added. “We've observed it in a diversity of cultivars already.”
UC Cooperative Extension specialist urges taking preventive measures
According to Trouillas, RLB caused by P. amygdalinum is “highly specific” to almond trees, and generally only affects their leaves. Infection typically happens at petal fall, when small leaflets are first emerging and most susceptible to disease. After the pathogen's latent period of about 35 to 40 days, the first symptoms appear – small, pale-yellow spots on both sides of the leaves.
Those blotches become yellow-orange and then reddish-brown in the advanced stages of the disease during June and July. Now, with RLB symptoms becoming more prominent, Trouillas and UC Cooperative Extension advisors across the Central Valley have seen an uptick in calls.
“PCAs [pest control advisers] have been confused because they've never seen anything like this,” said Trouillas, noting that the yellow-orange-red blotches are symptoms unique to RLB and cannot be confused with other known almond diseases.
Applying fungicides after RLB symptoms appear is ineffective, Trouillas said. The best thing growers can do at this point is to report symptomatic trees to researchers so they can track the prevalence and distribution of the disease.
Growers who see signs of this new disease in their orchard should contact their local UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor.
Preventive measures are the best way to manage RLB, Trouillas said. He urges concerned growers to think ahead to next winter/spring and plan for fungicide applications at petal fall and – if rains persist – also at two weeks and five weeks after petal fall. Fortunately, those are the same three key timings for managing other diseases, like shot hole and almond anthracnose.
“Because RLB is something that is introduced and potentially aggressive, it will be important for growers to keep that in mind next year and be on schedule for next year's spraying program,” Trouillas said.
Additional information on RLB can be found at https://www.sjvtandv.com/blog/first-detection-of-red-leaf-blotch-a-new-disease-of-almond-in-california.
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