Blog
NOW is Our Insect of Discontent...
My apologies to William Shakespeare... On a more serious note, the Navel Orangeworm (NOW) is a high-risk pest and is a huge problem for almond and pistachio growers. The NOW bores its way into the nut, feeding on the nut-meal and eventually destroying it. At first, the damage is minimal, only a visible pin-head shaped hole is bored, then...
Citrus Leafminer is No Minor Problem!
The Citrus Leafminer (CLM), or Phyllocnistis citrella, is one of the many invertebrates that in its larval stage, damages citrus crops all over the world. From oranges to lemons, grapefruits to limes, this insect attacks the leaves of the citrus, forsaking the plant to infections such as citrus canker. The CLM larvae survives solely on the young leaves (especially under...
Had a bad cup of coffee? Blame the beetles!
Did you know that the Coffee Berry Borer is the only animal that lives exclusively off coffee? Technically it is the most caffeinated animal on our planet, able to eat the equivalent of 230 cups of coffee daily. Unfortunately, this means that they are a huge problem to coffee growers in Hawaii, Costa Rica, Panama, and other coffee growing countries/regions...
How has climate change affected natural pest control?
We have observed time and again the effects of climate change on the planet’s natural life. However, how has climate change affected natural pest control? Simply put, changing temperatures and CO2 levels alter not only the way in which animal’s search for food, but also their quality, ultimately changing the makeup of natural enemies. Because insects’ body temperatures change...
The Story of Alpha Scents, Inc.
The story of Alpha Scents, Inc. begins with president and founder, Dr. Darek Czokajlo. When speaking about entomology, he will laugh and say the interest began “in the womb.” Driven by his passion for science and technology, he strives for economic security, which can be largely attributed to his upbringing in communist Poland. How do you become economically stable...
Navel Orangeworm
Navel Orangeworm External Resources Sterile Moth Technology to Target NOW in Tree Nuts NOW Pressure on the Rise in Walnuts Predicting Nonpareil Almond Damage in Kern County Product Documents Navel Orangeworm Technical Bulletin Navel Orangework Product Flyer A Multiple Threat in Nut and Fruit Trees Overview Native to the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico First identified in Arizona in 1899 Orchard...
Asian Citrus Psyllid
External Resources Asian Citrus Psyllid: California Round-Up - Growing Produce Fighting Bugs with Bugs: Hatching a Solution for Troubled Trees - NPR Citrus Research Board - Website Center for Invasive Species Research - Website Product Documents ACP Technical Bulletin ACP Product Flyer Vector of the Deadly Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing) Disease Overview Feeds on citrus...
Spotted Wing Drosophila
External Resources New Research Shows Spotted Wing Drosophila Repellent Naturally Produced in Fruits - Growing Produce Spotted Wing Drosophila - Website: Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences Product Documents Spotted Wing Drosophila Product Flyer Small Fruit Fly Packs Hefty...
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
External Resources Stink Bug's Tree Host Preferences May Provide Management Clues - Entomology Today Farmers Worry About Harvest as Stink Bugs Make a Mess in NW Region - The Seattle Times Get Ready for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug In 2015 - Growing Produce Stop BMSB - Website How To Get Rid of Stink Bugs –...
Citrus Leafminer
External Resources Citrus Leafminer - Center for Invasive Species Research, University of California, Riverside Featured Creatures - University of Florida IFAS South Texas Citrus Alert Product Documents Citrus Leafminer Technical Bulletin Citrus Leafminer Product Flyer A Case for Monitoring and Management Overview Native to Asia; present in North & South America, Middle East Larvae feed...