Test PB Collection: FTE

It's a bug-eat-bug world out there. Today we watched a syrphid fly, aka "hover fly" and "flower fly," circling a blanket flower (Gaillardia) and then touching down to sip a little nectar. Syrphids are called "hover flies" for good reason. They "hover" over a blossom, helicoperlike.

At first they appeared on our pomegranate tree, our 85-year-old pomegranate tree. Then they migrated over to our passion flower vine, Passiflora, where we're trying to rear Gulf Fritillary butterflies (Agraulis vanillae). They're leaffooted bug nymphs, Leptoglossus clypealis.

Many growers have good intentions when it comes to controlling weeds in seedling alfalfa but often fields end up being treated beyond the optimum window. Proper application timing is critical for successful weed control in seedling alfalfa.

Job Code: MBI 158 http://www.marronebioinnovations.com/company/careers/careers-plant-health-and-field-testing-assistant-research-scientist-job-code-mbi-158/ Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI) is a global provider of natural products serving the ever expanding agricultural and water markets.

If glyphosate is no longer effective at controlling perennial johnsongrass, but there is a low cost herbicide which is just as effective on johnsongrass with the same proven safety record, but is only going to be effective for a few years, would you use it? How would you use it?

The Tuolumne County Agricultural Commissioner and UC Cooperative Extension are offering a FREE WORKSHOP on rangeland weed control and pesticide regs.

One thing's for certain--a praying mantis does not like to get wet. If it were human, it would not dip a toe in the water and yell to its friends: "C'mon in, the water's fine!" Water is not fine--not to a praying mantis.

If you've never been to a UC Davis Arboretum plant sale, you should. The last plant sale of the year will take place Sunday, Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arboretum Teaching Nursery on Garrod Drive.

What's that caterpillar? This little fellow (or gal) was munching--quite contentedly, thank you--on the leaves of an aspen tree. The homeowner didn't take too kindly to the critter defoliating his prized tree, newly purchased in Oregon and newly planted in Vacaville, Calif.

Want to learn more about weeds? Attend the... Salinas Valley Weed School 2012 Tuesday, 11/13/2012 8 AM-12 noon Agricultural Center Conference Room 1432 Abbott Street, Salinas, CA It's free... there's no fee. For more information call Richard Smith (831) 759-7357. CLICK HERE for the agenda.