pests and pesticides

Response times may be slow due to the wildfires affecting Santa Cruz County and Covid-19. Organic compliance deadlines and inspections will be delayed for businesses affected by these crises. Read the latest updates on the Northern California wildfires, and visit our Covid-19 webpage to find pandemic-specific information »

Los tiempos de respuesta serán lentos debido a los incendios forestales afectando al condado de Santa Cruz y COVID-19. Los plazos de cumplimiento orgánico y las inspecciones se retrasarán para los negocios afectados por estas crisis.  Lea las últimas actualizaciones sobre los incendios forestales del norte de California y visite nuestra página web de Covid-19 para encontrar información específica a la pandemia »

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Alternative Controls for Fire Blight – 2014 Update

Submitted by zsonnabend on Wed, 02/26/2014 - 15:56

2014 is the last season in which organic apple and pear growers can use antibiotics to control fire blight. Now is the time to look at non-antibiotic controls, for which there has been significant progress in the past few years.

New resources are available to help organic producers make a plan for combatting fire blight. Download the Alternative Controls for Fire Blight 2014 Update.

Asian Citrus Psyllid Concerns

Submitted by Brise Tencer on Wed, 01/16/2013 - 11:43

Understandably, organic growers are concerned about the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), a pest that is a carrier of a devastating disease of citrus trees, huanglongbing (HLB). ACP findings are particularly concerning for organic producers because of how few choices there are for organic control methods. In cases of CDFA eradication efforts, there are no currently accepted organic treatments, but organic producers do have tools for management and prevention. 

Asian Citrus Psyllid Quarantine Areas Expanded; Predator Wasp to Be Released

Submitted by Jane Sooby on Mon, 08/01/2016 - 10:29

The disease-carrying pest Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) has moved north from southern California and now threatens the central and northern regions of the state. To combat the pest, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has increased areas under quarantine, mounted a comprehensive search-and-destroy effort, and is preparing to release swarms of psyllid-killing wasps to route the pest.

ACP Impact and Challenges

Bagrada Bug Detected North of Soledad and Near King City

Submitted by Jane Sooby on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 09:43
A blog entry written by Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdivia, entomologist with Cooperative Extension Monterey County, reports that bagrada bug adults were found on shortpod mustard plants north of Soledad and near King City. While no nymphs or eggs were found, their offspring may be moving into adjacent cole crops soon. 
 

Bagrada Bug Invades California

Submitted by Jane Sooby on Wed, 05/07/2014 - 07:00

The bagrada bug, referred to as an “invasive stink bug” by researchers, is often seen as a mating couple on brassica family plants. A native of the African and Asian continents, this insect first made its appearance in the western United States in 2008. Since then, its American range has spread east from Los Angeles County to Arizona and areas of southern Nevada, Utah, and west-central New Mexico. It has been found as far north as Monterey County.

Bagrada Bug News #3 Reports on Role of Weeds and Parasitoid Research

Submitted by Jane Sooby on Mon, 09/19/2016 - 11:15

The third edition of the Bagrada Bug News is now available to read and print on demand.

This edition reports on work being conducted in California and France to test promising natural enemies of bagrada bug. Scientists collected three species of wasps that lay their eggs in bagrada bug eggs, thus killing the nymphs inside, in South Africa and Pakistan and are now assessing their potential for release as natural predators of bagrada bug in California.

Bagrada Bug News #4 Available for Free Download

Submitted by Jane Sooby on Mon, 12/12/2016 - 12:01

The fourth issue of Bagrada Bug News, a free newsletter dedicated to developing organic management strategies and biocontrol of the bagrada bug, is now available online.

Bagrada bug, Bagrada hilaris, is an invasive stinkbug that first appeared in California in 2008. A prolific breeder with few organic control options, the pest has caused significant economic losses for organic growers, particularly in brassica crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and other mustard family members.

Bagrada Bug Update

Submitted by Jane Sooby on Fri, 11/07/2014 - 14:35

The Pest and the Damage Done
The invasive stinkbug known as the Bagrada bug continues to hopscotch its way through California. First found in Los Angeles County in 2008, it is now found throughout the state as far north as Yolo County. The pest has caused damage to many organic crops this summer and fall, primarily to mustard family crops including kale, arugula, broccoli, cabbage, collards, and other mustard greens. Bagrada bug also has caused damage to peppers, melons, tomatoes, corn, snap beans, and sunflowers.

Be Prepared for Invasive Pests

Submitted by zsonnabend on Mon, 05/15/2017 - 10:36
Spring is the time to anticipate pest problems that may emerge with the warmer weather of summer. It is a good time to remember what to look out for and to take some preventative steps to keep ahead of the pests. After the very wet winter in California, we might be about to experience an abundance of some of these pests, as well as invasive plants.
 

Big Step for Organic Research: UC Cooperative Extension Hires First Organic Specialist

Submitted by Noah Lakritz on Mon, 05/20/2019 - 12:52
strawberries
Joji Muramoto, a longtime research associate with University of California Santa Cruz, has been hired as the first University of California Cooperative Extension Specialist dedicated to organic agriculture. Muramoto will coordinate a statewide program focusing research on organic fruit and vegetable production. He will provide educational resources to producers on topics such as organic pest management and soil fertility.
 
Cooperative Extension serves as a vital link between the University of California and the agricultural sector.

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