Agriculture

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gopher Crescent-shaped mound and plugged burrow opening of a pocket gopher
Topics in Subtropics: Article

On-Line Gopher Control

June 29, 2021
By Ben A Faber
New online course on the management of ground squirrels and pocket gophers now available Cheryl Reynolds, UC Statewide IPM Program We're pleased to announce that a new online course on managing ground squirrels and pocket gophers has been added to UC IPM's growing library of online training courses.
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In this image, Jacob “Jake” Francis and Sage Kruleski, an undergraduate researcher from the University of Nevada, Reno, are sampling nectar and pollen rewards from phlox on Peavine Mountain, northwest of Reno.

Congrats to the Two 'Jakes' from the Rachel Vannette Lab

June 28, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Congrats to the two "Jakes" from the laboratory of community ecologist Rachel Vannette, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. The two postdoctoral scholars, Jacob "Jake" Francis and Jacob "Jake" Cecala, have just received prestigious federal research fellowships.
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nov 29 2020
Ranching in the Sierra Foothills: Article

More than Simply Surviving

June 25, 2021
By Daniel K Macon
Over the last six months, drought has once again dominated most of my thinking and many of my conversations with other ranchers.
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A leafcutter bee (family Megachilidae) foraging on Verbena in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Day 5 of National Pollinator Week: The Leafcutter Bee

June 25, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Day 5 of National Pollinator Week: Meet the leafcutter bee, family Megachilidae. It's a native pollinator, a solitary bee, and about the size of a honey bee. Its coloration--the black-and-white banded abdomen--makes it easily recognizable.
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citrus yellow vein disease
Topics in Subtropics: Article

A Citrus Trojan Horse

June 25, 2021
By Ben A Faber
Scientists are hoping the RNA of an obscure infection can one day be used like a Trojan horse to deliver life-saving treatments to citrus trees. UCR microbiologist Kiran Gadhave examining citrus for yellow vein disease symptoms.
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The blister beetle is both a pollinator and a pest. It is a pest of alfalfa and is toxic to livestock, especially horses. This one is foraging on a Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifola) in Vacaville. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Day 4 of National Pollinator Week: Beetles

June 24, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
When you think of pollinators, you think of bees, right? And well you should: honey bees are the global workhorses of the pollination community and pollinate about one-third of the food we eat, including fruits and vegetables and some nuts, primarily almonds (California's almond acreage exceeds 1.
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shot hole borer feeding
Topics in Subtropics: Article

Beetle:Fungus Symbiosis?

June 24, 2021
By Ben A Faber
David Peris, Xavier Delcls, Bjarte Jordal https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12763 A beetle bores a tree trunk to build a gallery in the wood in order to protect its lay. As it digs the tunnel, it spreads ambrosia fungal spores that will feed the larvae.
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meadow mouse
Topics in Subtropics: Article

Burrowing Varmints Guide

June 23, 2021
By Ben A Faber
Author: Pamela Kan-Rice Published on: June 8, 2021 A pocket gopher emerges from a burrow. The holes and mounds created by burrowing rodents pose hazards to farmworkers and farm machinery.
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