Test PB Collection: FTE

We would like to thank Ventura Master Gardener Susan Latham who spearheaded this project. We would also like to thank Master Gardener Sue Mills and the University of California Weed Work Group.

The flatworm is a member of the flatworm group as opposed to round worms (nematodes) and segmented worms (earthworms). It also is commonly called a terrestrial flatworm. Although, not common in the Central Coast landscape, it is also not rare.

Some older gardeners may remember the days when fuchsias were free of this tiny pest. Fuchsia gall mites were inadvertently introduced into California in the 1980s and very quickly spread throughout the state.

The sandy and sandy loam soils found in many areas of the Central Coast plus irrigated fields and landscapes are near ideal habitat for gophers, squirrels, moles, and other critters that like to burrow and also like green vegetation.

Grasshoppers are native to much of the rangeland along the Central Coast. The adults lay eggs in early to mid-summer and die. The eggs survive the winter and hatch in spring as temperatures (day degrees) accumulate.

Ground squirrels reproduce once a year and give birth in the spring. There are several kinds of kill traps or live-catch traps on the market. If a live-catch trap is used, you still have to dispose of the live squirrel in the trap.

Irregular Pine Scale. is the accepted common name. The scientific name is Toumeyella pinicola. Monterey pine is an especially favorite host, but seven other pine species are also attacked. When irregular scale is present, you should also look for ant activity.

Both the larval stage and adult ladybird beetle are beneficial. They prey mainly on aphids, but will also feed on scale insects, whitefly larva, mealybugs, spider mites, insect eggs, and other small insects.

These are the little grayish-black bees that cut circular notches out of the leaves of your rose bushes, bougainvillea, and other plants. It seems that once they decide on a particular plant, they can almost defoliate it by their cutting activities.

This garden column provides information on home, garden and landscape problems. It was created by Frank Laemmlen Ph.D., Farm Advisor Emeritus in the Santa Barbara County Cooperative Extension Office.