Agriculture

All hail the honey bee! It's an immigrant, like almost all of us, except for the Native Americans. European colonists brought the honey bee (Apis mellifera) to what is now the United States in 1622. Specifically, they arrived at the Jamestown colony (Virginia).

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend" holds true in entomology as well! The activity of natural enemies of pests (beneficial insects) is a key component of Integrated Pest Management in alfalfa to prevent pest resurgence and secondary pest outbreaks.

As I've written numerous times, research into the efficacy of livestock protection tools, including livestock guardian dogs, is difficult (if not impossible).

While domestication of plants has yielded bigger crops, the process has often had a negative effect on plant microbiomes, making domesticated plants more dependent on fertilizer and other soil amendments than their wild relatives.

Several years ago, the UC Weed Science group produced a series of training videos. In the next few days, I'm going to share links to the videos. The first topic is principles of weed control. The videos are broken up into smaller parts, so they are easier to view.

I'll be back! And, they are, with a vengeance! Just like the Terminator, those pesky blue alfalfa aphids are once again wreaking havoc in alfalfa fields, including those just breaking dormancy in colder climates.

Editor's note: Master Gardeners are keeping busy in their own gardens during Napa County's Shelter in Place directive.

Have you ever seen a plume moth? Or has a plume moth ever seen you? We spotted a pterophorid plume moth (family Pterophoridae) yesterday on our back door in Vacaville, Calif.

Topic From Integrated Pest Management to Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management Description An update on current research on pollinator health We will dive into the fascinating world of bees managed and wild - and learn about the current research to keep them healthy from leading experts in the...

The things we overlook are the things we should look for. Take mustard and honey bees.