Pest Management & Plant Health

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Broomsedge bluestem (USDA photo)
Ranching in the Sierra Foothills: Article

A Few Observations on Broomsedge

June 21, 2022
By Daniel K Macon
Broomsedge Bluestem (Andropogon virginicus L.) is an increasingly problematic weed in irrigated pastures in the Sierra foothills. We've grazed several pastures with fairly significant infestations - and we're seeing it spread.
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Figure 1. A coyote scavenging a dead rat in a suburban backyard. Photo by game camera.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

Rats, Rodenticides, and Research

June 20, 2022
By Niamh M Quinn
Where is rodenticide exposure in wildlife coming from? Is it from use by residents or farmers? Applications by marijuana growers? Or from applications by qualified and trained structural pest control professionals?
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Figure 1. Weed alert for related weeds pampasgrass and jubatagrass.
UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

Invasive Pest Spotlight: Pampasgrass & Jubatagrass

June 19, 2022
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
The invasive pest spotlight focuses on emerging or potential invasive pests in California. In this issue, we cover the invasive plants pampasgrass and jubatagrass.
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Ornamental pampas grass
UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

Invasive Ornamentals for Sale

June 12, 2022
By Gale Perez
I read an interesting paper* recently about the sale and spread of invasive ornamental plants in the U.S. The paper describes the results of a study that examined whether identifying a plant species as invasive influenced its availability for purchase from the plant trade industry.
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Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus-altissima) is an invasive plant that supports the spotted lantern fly, an invasive insect. (Joe DiTomaso)
The Stanislaus Sprout: Article

Invasive Beauties Can Be Deceiving

June 6, 2022
By Anne E Schellman
Humans love anything new and different, and that includes plants for their garden. In the past, when bringing plants into California from other places, people had no idea this could cause environmental problems.
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Tumbel mustard and rye
UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

Ketchup Or Mustard?

June 3, 2022
By Thomas J Getts
What is your favorite condiment for a Memorial Day brat? My childhood friend, with family roots in Wisconsin, told me there is only one choice.... mustard! And mustard flowers certainly have painted the landscape the intermountain region this year.
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A sulphur butterfly, Colias eurytheme, and a honey bee, Apis mellifera, meet on lavender. The butterfly is a male, as identified by Art Shapiro, UC Davis distinguished professor of evolution and ecology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

The Bee and the Butterfly

June 1, 2022
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
The bee and the butterfly. Or, Apis mellifera and Colias eurytheme. One's a beneficial insect. That would "bee" the honey bee. The other is a yellow and white butterfly, striking in appearance, but in its larval stage, it's a major pest of alfalfa.
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