Pest Management & Plant Health

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Adult western conenose bug, Triatoma protracta. (Credit: Justin Schmidt)

Kissing bugs are not your valentine

February 12, 2018
By Karey Windbiel-Rojas
Conenose or kissing bugs' (Triatoma spp.) are in the Reduviidae family, a group of insects known for a sturdy body and large proboscis. Most reduviids are beneficial as insect predators, and include various species of assassin bugs.
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A honey bee nectars on a rosemary blossom on Feb. 9 on the UC Davis campus. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Honey Bees Think It's Spring on the UC Davis Campus

February 9, 2018
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Spring doesn't "spring" on the University of California, Davis campus. Sometimes it skitters, scampers and scoots. That's in between the cool and warm temperatures that deceive us--and the bees.
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Southern IPM Activities: Article

Pesticide Safety Train the Trainer is Back

February 8, 2018
By Cheryl A Wilen
Pesticide Safety Instructor Training Workshops Update your knowledge of changing regulations! This course meets the requirements established by the revised Worker Protection Standard, which is mandated by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
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Poison oak stalks after leaf loss. (Credit: Anne McTavish)

Poison Oak: Not Just a Summer Problem

February 7, 2018
By Anne E Schellman
Campers and hikers are often warned to avoid poison oak in summer by looking out for green plants with glossy leaflets of three. However, as weather cools, the appearance of the plant changes, making it more difficult to identify.
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This Culex mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, transmits West Nile virus and other viruses. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Why Vector-Borne Diseases Remain a Key Threat to Human Health

February 5, 2018
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
"Vector-borne diseases remain a key threat to human health, wildlife, and plants, in part, due to the multitude of factors that influence their transmission," says biologist A. Marm Kilpatrick, assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Santa Cruz.
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California burclover. [Credit: Jack Kelly Clark]
Community Pest News: Article

Controlling Winter Weeds

February 2, 2018
By Karey Windbiel-Rojas
Weeds can be a real nuisance in gardens and landscapes, and even during the colder winter months, some kinds of weeds continue to grow and thrive. These are called winter annual weeds. Most weeds are classified as annuals, biennials, or perennials.
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PaulVerdegaalfieldhat LodiWineBlog
ANR News Blog: Article

Monthly news round up: January 2018

January 31, 2018
By Pamela S Kan-Rice
Woodland as ag hub topic of forum (Woodland Daily Democrat) Jenice Tupolo, Jan. 30 Developing Woodland as an agricultural center is becoming more of a reality, even as local organizations worked together in creating a forum focused on agricultural innovation in Yolo County. ...
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Norman Smith
UC Master Gardeners- Diggin' it in SLO: Article

Mydid Flies

January 31, 2018
By Maria Murrietta
Youdid, Wedid, Medid, Shedid, Hedid, Mydid? Mydid Flies, genus Mydas Good bugs or not so good? Norm Knows.
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Infestation of young redhumped caterpillars. [Credit: Jack Kelly Clark]
Community Pest News: Article

Redhumped Caterpillars

January 31, 2018
By Karey Windbiel-Rojas
The redhumped caterpillar is a familiar pest of fruit and nut trees such as plum, almond, cherry, and apple, as well as ornamental trees like liquidambar and birch. These caterpillars can reach high populations in our area, sometimes defoliating entire branches or entire trees.
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