Backyard Orchard News
California Red Scale Flight in Full Swing
In Tulare County, the first flight of male red scales began the week of March 19, so we are using that as the biofix for the San Joaquin Valley. As our degree day page shows http://ucanr.org/sites/KACCitrusEntomology/Home/California_Red_Scale/Degree_Days_885/
the scales have accumulated 117-171 degree days so far, depending on location. This is well below the 30 year average of closer to 300 degree days by the middle of April. The warming trend this week should speed things up. We expect the first generation of scale crawlers to emerge at 550 degree days. Please log onto my web pages to follow the degree day accumulations as the season progresses.
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Oh, Those Pestiferous Aphids!
By now, you're probably seen enough aphids to last you for the entire year. That's why we're...
Pea aphids on a rose leaf. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Pea aphids claim a rose stem. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Tango Mandarin Research at Lindcove
The photo shows an 8-year-old Tango mandarin tree at Lindcove that is being harvested. Dr. Mikeal...
Tango harvest
It Happened on Friday the 13th
It happened on Friday the 13th. It was the first swarm of the season at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr....
Honey bee swarm on the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Facility grounds on Friday the 13th. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bee breeder-geneticist Susan Cobey catches the swarm. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bees enter a strategically placed hive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Safari!
They're there.If you walk slowly into your garden or backyard, and observe your surroundings,...
A jumping spider perched on a rose leaf. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A soldier beetle peers at the camera. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A syrphid or flower fly foraging on a poppy blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)