Pest Management & Plant Health

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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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Two adult male wild turkeys strutting in grass with several female hens behind them.

Wild Turkeys: Is This a Pest?

June 24, 2021
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Have you seen wild turkeys wandering through your neighborhood? These American birds were once on the verge of extinction but now can be found foraging for food in urban and suburban neighborhoods. Some people enjoy the sight of a flock of wild turkeys strutting by their house.
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UCCE Master Gardeners of San Bernardino County Blogs: Article

Stinknet in San Bernardino County

June 24, 2021
By Chris J McDonald
Stinknet (Oncosiphon pilulifer) is a relatively new weed to North America and has been moving quickly and spreading in San Bernardino County. Gardeners may have noticed this unusual yellow-flowered plant growing in their yard this year, even though we are in a significant drought.
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Group of seven coyote pups on a dirt road.

New Wildlife Pest Identification Tool

June 22, 2021
Wildlife in California is an important natural resource that many people appreciate in their natural habitats and strive to protect. However, sometimes vertebrate animals can become pests in our homes, gardens, schools, parks, and landscapes and management efforts are needed.
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UC Davis alumnus Hannah Burrack, a professor of entomology and extension specialist at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, has been named chair of the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University, effective Jan. 1, 2022.
Entomology & Nematology News: Article

UC Davis Alum Hannah Burrack Named MSU Department Chair

June 22, 2021
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
UC Davis alumnus Hannah Burrack, a professor of entomology and extension specialist at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, has been named chair of the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University, East Lansing, effective Jan. 1, 2022. Burrack will replace F.
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Three white and orange insects with waxy strands covering a leaf.

Giant Whitefly: A Tiny Pest

June 17, 2021
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
The giant whitefly is not a gargantuan monster out of an old sci-fi movie, although it is quite a bit larger compared to other whiteflies. Whiteflies are typically tiny insects that are hard to spot on plants unless they are flying, but the giant whitefly is more obvious.
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Adult California Ground Squirrel
BLP's in OC: Article

Now Available: New online course

June 17, 2021
By Tamara J Majcherek
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. This course consists of eight video segments recorded by Dr.
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