- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
It's "Friday Fly Day," but no flies today.
They're in a "no-fly zone."
That's because of the freezing temperatures. Jack Frost is nipping at assorted noses, leaves are dropping like flies, and cups are overflowing with hot chocolate.
Meanwhile, here's an image BEFORE the freeze. A honey bee is nectaring on a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotunidfola, while a fly seeks a share.
The honey bee? Apis mellifera. The fly? "Sarcophagid flesh fly and the genus I do know but it is probably a Miltogramminae, a satellite fly," said forensic entomologist Robert "Bob" Kimsey of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. "They are mostly parasites."
Happy No-Fly Day!
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
- Author: Elaine Lander
We don't often find flies such a popular topic of conversation, but given recent events, we'd like to seize the moment to share some science-based information about their status as both pests and beneficial insects.
You may be surprised to learn that some flies are actually beneficial insects. Many flies in the family Tachinidae attack and parasitize other insect pests. These parasitic flies are considered “natural enemies” that provide biological control and help reduce pest populations of squash bugs, cabbage loopers, and other pests. Read more about these beneficial flies on our website.
Finally, flyswatters are a tried and true tool of integrated pest management. They're a great nonchemical alternative and very effective for physical/mechanical control. Something to remember the next time you have a fly bothering you!
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 by the female SWD. Eggs will hatch into larvae (maggots) which feed inside on the fruit, causing brown and soft sunken areas that may exude fluid.
If you notice SWD in your fruit early enough, you can save some of the crop by harvesting it immediately and removing fruit with stings on the surface. Put infested fruit in a sturdy, sealed plastic bag and dispose of it in the trash. If you have fruit that isn't ripe yet, place fine netting around it to protect it.
Unfortunately, in many cases by the time you notice SWD damage, it may be too late. For information on how to make an apple cider vinegar trap and how to protect your fruit next season, see the UC IPM Pest Note: Spotted Wing Drosophila.
If your cherry tree has a different pest or problem, visit the UC IPM Cherries page to see a list of other pests, including diseases and environmental disorders.
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
Natural enemies (predators, parasites, and pathogens) reduce pest populations and help prevent damage to plants. Pollinators such as domesticated honey bees, wild bees, and other pollinating insects, are essential in the production of many of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we grow in California, both in our backyards and in commercial agriculture.
To maintain healthy populations of natural enemies and pollinators, use integrated pest management (IPM). As part of an IPM program, follow these guidelines:
Identify the pest
- It is important to first identify your pest and learn which nonchemical methods may work to exclude, repel, or reduce the pest. The UC IPM web site contains a great deal of information for home, garden, landscape, and turf pests.
Use pesticides sparingly and spot-treat
- Before applying any pesticide, read and follow all the product label directions.
- Target the application to the specific area where the pest is a problem to reduce the harm to natural enemies and pollinators.
Choose selective and nonpersistent pesticides
- If a pesticide is needed, consult the UC IPM website to determine which pesticides will specifically control that pest.
- Avoid broad-spectrum, persistent insecticides. Carbamates, organophosphates, and pyrethroids kill many different invertebrates and leave residues that kill pollinators, parasites, and predators that migrate in after the application.
- Neonicotinoids and other systemic insecticides translocate (move) within plants and can poison bees and natural enemies that feed on nectar, pollen, and liquids that plants ooze. Use sparingly or only when necessary.
- Be aware that broad-spectrum (nonselective) herbicides and herbicides applied for broadleaf weeds, reduce the abundance of floral plants that attract and feed pollinators and natural enemies.
See the UC IPM web site for more information about pesticides, controlling pests, and protecting pollinators and other organisms.
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you have Mexican sunflowers (genus Tithonia) in your garden, you can expect a diversity of insects--and not just honey bees.
Lately we've been photographing all the insects that visit the Tithonia in our bee garden.
They include butterflies (including monarchs, Gulf Fritillaries, skippers and cabbage whites) bumble bees (Bombus vosnesenskii and Bombus fervides, formerly known as Bombus californicus), sweat bees, leafcutter bees, long-horned bees, praying mantids, honey bees, carpenter bees, and yes, flies (green bottle fly).
The Mexican sunflower, an annual in the sunflower family, Asteraceae, originates from Mexico and Central America. What's good about the Tithonia--besides its sizzling color and its ability to attract a diversity of insects--is that it's drought-tolerant. That's especially important as we thirsty Californians endure our worst-ever drought.
We grew our Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) from seed, and it should bloom all summer. Already it's reaching NBA basketball-stature--topping seven feet in height.
We may have to set up a orchard ladder in our bee garden on our next photo shoot!