Backyard Orchard News
These European Paper Wasps Didn't Get the Memo
They didn't get the memo. A sign on a recycling bin near the Mann Laboratory at the University of...
A sign on a UC Davis recycling bin clearly says "Bottles and Cans Only." It says nothing about wasps. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of the European paper wasps building their nest beneath the overhanging lid of a recycling bin. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
European paper wasps even built a nest in a donation box in the Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University. "These ladies had expensive taste," quipped associate professor Amy Toth, who reseachers European paper wasps. (Photo by Amy Merritt, Reiman Gardens)
National Pollinator Week: Visit the UC Davis Bee Garden
Let's celebrate National Pollinator Week. And what better time for the UC Davis Department of...
A honey bee and bumble bee share a coneflower in the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven. This is a yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A honey bee foraging on a blanketflower, Gaillardia, in the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A mosaic-ceramic sculpture, Miss Bee Haven, anchors the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven. It is the work of Donna Billick of Davis, a self-described "rock artist." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Love Makes the World--and the Bugs--Go 'Round
Consider the lovestruck praying mantis. If you've ever watched a mating pair of mantids and seen...
A mating pair of Stagmomantis limbata in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
This male praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata, has just lost his head. This one kept moving for eight hours before he expired. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
UC Davis entomologist Emily Bick with her program at "An Entomologist's Love Story." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Everybody Loves Bugs, Right? Here Are the Top 25 Bug Blogs in the World
Everybody loves bugs, right? Well, no, they don't. Some folks scream, smash them, or sprint away...
A flameskimmer dragonfly, Libellula saturata, perches on a bamboo stake in Vacaville, Calif. Native to western North America, it belongs to the family Libellulidae. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of the flameskimmer dragonfly, also called a "firecracker skimmer." (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Flameskimmer in flight as he heads back to his perch, a bamboo stake. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Summer—it’s a time for swimming, BBQs, camping, and eating invasive species
Last week during California Invasive Species Action Week (June 2 – June 10), we highlighted several pests, but there are many more invasive species out there. Now that you know about them, share your knowledge of invasive species with others. And no matter what your summer plans, here are some things YOU can do about invasive species from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California Department of Food and Agriculture.
YOU: I'M TRAVELLING TO AMAZING PLACES
- Learn what plants and animals you can bring into California.
- Don't pack a pest! Declare all food and agricultural items from other states or countries.
- Find out which species are threats to California.
- Learn about California's invasive plants.
- Avoid spreading forest pests: buy your firewood where you burn it.
YOU: I'LL BE WORKING IN MY GARDEN
- Remove invasive plants from your property.
- Select native or non-invasive plants for your garden.
- Use only certified weed-free forage, hay, seed, mulch, soil, and gravel.
- Learn alternatives to releasing unwanted fish, aquatic plants, and other pets.
- Monitor plants and trees for symptoms of infestations and disease.
- Learn about California's invasive plants.
- Have you spotted an invasive species? Tell us where by reporting your sighting.
YOU: I'LL BE NEAR THE WATER OR ON A BOAT
- Join the statewide citizen science effort to monitor for quagga mussels.
- Join the iNaturalist project, California Nerodia Watch, and help us find Nerodia watersnakes.
- Make sure to Clean, Drain, and Dry (PDF) your boat after each outing.
- Learn alternatives to releasing unwanted fish, aquatic plants, and other pets.
- Visit your favorite local, state, or national park, ecological reserve, recreational area, or nature center and ask about their volunteer programs.
- Learn about California's invasive plants.
- Have you spotted an invasive species? Tell us where by reporting your sighting.
YOU: I'LL BE OUT AND ABOUT CAMPING, HIKING, OR RIDING HORSES
- Use only certified weed-free forage, hay, seed, mulch, soil, and gravel.
- Avoid spreading forest pests: buy your firewood where you burn it.
- Prevent the spread of plant pathogens that damage and kill California's native plants and trees.
- Learn about California's invasive plants.
- Visit your favorite local, state, or national park, ecological reserve, recreational area, or nature center and ask about their volunteer programs.
- Have you spotted an invasive species? Tell us where by reporting your sighting.
YOU: I'LL DEFINITELY CONTINUE TO LEARN ABOUT INVASIVES
- Get to know your local invaders.
- Learn about California's invasive plants.
- Find out which species are threats to California.
- Learn alternatives to releasing unwanted fish, aquatic plants, and other pets.
- Eat them. Yum. Check out these websites to find out who is edible and how to prepare them.
- Invasive-eats.com (California-specific)
- Invasivore.org (under construction but hopefully back soon)
- EatTheWeeds.com
- EatTheInvaders.org
If you missed it this year, help in the fight next year by learning and participating during California Invasive Species Action Week.