Ongoing research

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Damselfly with water mites (see egglike mass). The insect next to it is probably thrips, according to Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Delightful Damselflies

August 8, 2014
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
When an egret swooped down and ate all the goldfish in our fish pond--quite a smorgasbord of goldies--we left the pond bare for a couple of months. The result was a good one: more damselflies.
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Hops
Topics in Subtropics: Article

Are Hops a Serious Option as a Crop in San Diego?

August 8, 2014
By Ben A Faber
Farmers in our county who are using high-priced water are really thinking about niches in the market. They simply must get the best prices they can if they are going to stay in business. So, what are these niches? One niche is simply converting to an organic operation.
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A fast-moving assassin bug spears a male metallic sweat bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Assassins, Bugs and Beer

August 7, 2014
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
There I was, walking across the University of California, Davis, campus to the Environmental Sciences Building for an agricultural communicators' meeting: a notebook in my hand, cell phone in my pocket, and my trusty pocket camera strapped around my neck.
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avocado fruits
Topics in Subtropics: Article

Irrigating Avocados in the Home Garden

August 7, 2014
By Ben A Faber
Mature avocados may be a big tree, but they have very shallow roots. The bulk of them are in the top 8 inches of soil. The tree therefore does not have access to a large volume of stored water. As opposed to a deep rooted walnut, they need frequent, small amounts of water.
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Cooperative Extension Ventura County: Article

Vol. 12 No. 2, Spring (April-June) 2014

August 6, 2014
In this issue: Vole Damage to Citrus Time to Go Fishing! 'Meyer' Lemon and C-35 Citrange Rootstock Are Hops a Serious Option for a Crop in San Diego County?
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avocado fruits

Avocado Root Rot in the Home Garden

August 6, 2014
By Ben A Faber
The canopy is thinning. The leaves are small and yellow. There is dieback in the canopy, with leafless tips on the branches. You dig around under the canopy in the wetted area of the sprinkler and you can't find roots within 6 inches of the soil surface or if you do find them they are black.
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Western tiger swallowtail, Papilio rutulus, glides on Jupiter's beard, Centranthus ruber. This one is missing part of its wing structure, no thanks to a predator. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Close Shave on Jupiter's Beard

August 5, 2014
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
The Western tiger swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) is the kind of butterfly that combines steel with silk. It's a tough critter. Often you'll see it with its wings clipped by a predator--maybe a bird or a praying mantis.
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