Backyard Orchard News
Black Thrips Common in Citrus this Year
A number of Tulare County PCAs have observed a very dark thrips infesting the calyx and areas of the rind where fruit touch in mandarins this year. Samples were collected and identified by Dr. Mark Hoddle (Dept of Entomology, UC Riverside) as western flower thrips. We don't normally consider this thrips a pest of the rind of citrus. However, in some cases, a circular scarring was associated with the thrips feeding on the rind of the fruit. It is likely this is a rare event, precipitated by freeze and drought conditions. Should growers treat for this thrips? This decision has to be made based on each individual situation. The thrips have likely already done the damage and will be difficult to control with insecticides because they are tucked away. In addition, they will readily move to flowers when they become available.
Western Flower Thrips
Circular rind damage in mandarins
Near Infrared Technology for Freeze Damage Detection
Experiments by Mary Lu Arpaia (University of California Riverside) and David Obenland (USDA-ARS...
David Obenland, Jamie Nemecek, Mary Lu Arpaia evaluate fruit
Freeze damage to a navel orange 6 weeks after the freeze event
Learning About the Pollinators
If you want to learn more about pollinators and sustainable gardening, then you should circle March...
Honey bee foraging on flowering quince. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The Power of Red
There's a heartfelt reason why Friday, Feb. 7 is "UC Davis Wears Red Day." It's about...
A syrphid fly, aka flower fly or hover fly, sipping nectar from a tower of jewels. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A lady beetle, aka lady bug, is a "lady in red." (Photo by Kathy Keatley)
A flameskimmer dragonfly, Libellula saturata, rests on a stake. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A flesh fly, family Sarcophagidae, grooming itself.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Honey bee with red pollen from a nearby rock puslane. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
We are currently recruiting for an outreach and education Program Representative II at Kearney.
County Location: Fresno County
Date Posted: January 24, 2014
Closing Date: February 17, 2014
Under the general direction of the Center Director, and in collaboration with the other center directors, this position will develop and lead unique outreach programs for Kearney Agricultural, Lindcove and West Side Research and Extension Centers. The successful candidate will:
- Create and implement multimedia outreach and educational programs that highlight key agricultural topics stemming from the Centers.
- Lead public tours, school and family programs, lectures and K-12 science educational programs.
- Develop contacts for outreach programs.
- Maintain records and prepare reports.
Outreach programs will include:
- Kearney: Develop an on-site K-12 program that teaches about farming and nutrition. Vines, berries, stone fruit, nuts, figs.
- West Side: Develop a K-12 program that goes to the schools and teaches about vegetables and nutrition. Winter vegetables, melons, onions, tomatoes, garlic.
- Lindcove: Develop a K-12 program that goes to the schools to teach about citrus varieties, citriculture and invasive pests.
For full consideration apply by 2/17/14 to req#20140027.
Local high school students learning about identifying and using beneficial insects for pest control.