UC Master Gardeners of San Joaquin County

 "My turn to hold the hornworm!"Youth and adults alike clamored to hold the tobacco hornworms at the Bohart Museum of Entomology's Moth Night.While attendees held the hornworms, other hornworms munched on a tomato plant.  A display sign about Metamorphosis in the Garden read:"Tobacco hornworms …

 That "passion butterfly," the Gulf Fritillary...Ever watched a Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae, touch down on its host plant, the passionflower vine, Passiflora? Ever seen two Gulf Frits sipping nectar from a single passionflower blossom? We remember what UC Davis Distinguished Professor…

We are excited to announce the launch of the California Water Course (register here), a bilingual (English/Español) program designed for entry level water professionals (or refresher), community and advocates, or any person interested in addressing California’s water challenges and solutions.This…

Toxic baits, or rodenticides, used to control rodents around the home and garden can harm nontarget animals, such as pets, birds, coyotes, and other wildlife. To reduce these negative impacts, California has passed several laws to limit what rodenticides can be used, how, and by who. Here’s what you need to…

 It's not Halloween yet, but you'll see a "witch" at the annual Moth Night hosted by the Bohart Museum of Entomology on Saturday, July 12.A White Witch, that is. It's the legendary moth, Thysania agrippina, from the family Erebidae.  It's also called the Ghost Moth, Great Gray…

 What a delight to see!When Fairfield resident and butterfly aficionado Marilyn Sexton spotted on her patio a butterfly that she'd never seen before, she grabbed her cell phone and took some images and a video.Brown-black wings, each lined with a row of white spots. Orange tips on the forewings. …

My name is Mandeep Singh, and I’m honored to serve as the Agronomy Advisor for Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo counties, based at the UCCE Capitol Corridor office in Woodland. I grew up on a farm where my family raised diversified row crops and livestock. I obtained my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in…

In the last two years, California has experienced a surge of invasive fruit fly infestations. Invasive fruit fly outbreaks endanger our state’s agriculture and economy, as well as homegrown fruits and veggies. They can infest many different fruit, nut, and vegetable crops. Adults lay their eggs under the…

 What's buzzing? What's fluttering? What's crawling?Planet Bee Foundation is encouraging all folks interested in native bees and native pollinators to join its Buzzwatch 2025, which it launched June 1 during National Pollinator Month and will continue through Aug. 31."Use iNaturalist to document native…

 Ever held a tobacco hornworm?You can when the Bohart Museum of Entomology at UC Davis hosts its annual "Moth Night" open house on Saturday, July 12. It takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. and it's free and family friendly, Parking is also free.Bohart Museum scientists will be displaying, among other live…

In Part 1 of this story, we covered some basics of biological control. Now let’s talk about some of the good bugs helping to control invasive pests in California. Controlling yellow starthistle one weevil at a timeYellow starthistle (YST) is a harmful invasive plant that is established and widespread in…

Branched broomrape (Phelipanche ramosa) is an invasive parasitic plant that poses a significant threat to California’s processing tomato industry. Known for its ability to attach to and draw nutrients from host roots, this pest can cause yield losses and trigger strict quarantine measures in California…

 Like a moth to a flame...That typifies the attraction of folks who plan to attend the Bohart Museum of Entomology's annual "Moth Night" on Saturday, July 12. The open house, set from 7 to 11 p.m., is free and family friendly. Just head over to Room 1124 of the Academic Surge Building, 455 Crocker…

Mosquito season is in full swing in California, and the deadly West Nile virus is making its way around the state. Health officials have identified the virus in 17 counties and there has been 1 confirmed human death so far this year. West Nile virus is one of several diseases that can be transmitted to…

 The British are coming! The British are coming!The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere?No, just soldier beetles, family Cantharidae, scrambling for aphids.Soldier beetles are so named because they sport a color pattern reminiscent of the British soldiers who battled The Thirteen Colonies (then known as "Great…

 It seems like a good day to post images of stink bugs..We spotted a pair of stink bugs on our zinnias "keeping busy" today.They suck. Truly.Stink bugs are shield-shaped sucking insects, family Pentatomidae, and California is home to more than 50 stink bug species. How did they get their name? When…

New to AvocadoSource is Dr. Robert McNeil's United States Avocado Production (Hass Avocado) He is Horticulture Emeritus from Cal Poly SLO and has compiled his years of experience with avocado here.  Also check out all the other selections of books available at the website:https://www.avocadosource…