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LinkedInPosts Tagged: invasive pests
California pest invasion rate increasing
Introduction of new invasive pests into California seems to be increasing, reported Todd Fitchette in Western Farm Press. The story was based on presentations at the recent professional crop advisors convention in Anaheim by UC Cooperative Extension specialists Mark Hoddle and UC Riverside entomology professor Richard Stouthamer.
Before 1989, Hoddle said, California saw about six new pest invasions per year. The number has risen to about 10 per year, and the cost amounts to about $3 billion annually.
Asian citrus psyllid, a relatively recent invader in California, has farmers particularly worried because of the pest's ability to spread the lethal bacterial disease huanglongbing in citrus. In late 2011, Hoddle's lab began releasing a natural enemy of the psyllid he collected in the Punjab, Pakistan, a stingless wasp called Tamarixia radiata.
According to the Western Farm Press article, Hoddle is now studying a second natural enemy of ACP - Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis - in quarantine at UC Riverside.
Stouthamer is studying another troublesome invasive pest in California, the polyphagous shot hole borer. The pest attacks many tree species that shade California streets, landscapes and parks; their greatest threat to agricultural production appears to be in avocados.
At the meeting, Hoddle said there is a growing and vocal minority of ecologists who believe invasive species are not such a serious problem, Fitchette wrote.
“They think we should just relax and let them install themselves in the environment and do whatever they like,” Hoddle said. “I think that's a wrong viewpoint to be taking with a lot of these organisms.”
The Threat of Invasive Species
The public, says entomologist Kris Godfrey, needs to become more aware of the threat of invasive species.And, she adds, we need to educate people and organizations about the incoming pests and pests that are already here.With that in mind, she's coordinating an all-day conference, themed “Educating...
Asian citrus psyllid is an invasive pest. (Photo by M. E. Rogers, University of Florida)
Bin at right shows Huanglongbing (HLB) symptoms caused by Asian citrus psyllid. At left: normal fruit. (Photo by S. E. Halbert, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)
Invasive pests cost California $3 billion per year
“Experts peg the negative economic impact caused by invasive pests at $3 billion every year, making pest prevention a concern for all California communities – not just those in rural areas,” Sen. Cannella said. “Today’s hearing offered an important opportunity to better understand the harm invasive pests pose to urban landscaping, waterways and public health and to discuss the role urban communities play in pest prevention and control.”
The list of experts who testified at the meeting included:
Beth Grafton-Cardwell, director of the UC Lindcove Research and Extension Center and the leader of the ANR Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases Strategic Initiative
John Kabashima, UC Cooperative Extension Orange County environmental horticulture advisor and director
Pack Memories, Not Pests
I ran into two members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Patrol this afternoon. No, I wasn't at a border. I was merely walking the halls of the UC Davis Department of Entomology. The border patrol agents were there to meet with entomology department officials in Briggs Hall. They...
Mediterranean Fruit Fly
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
If you're interested in insects--the good, the bad and the ugly--don't miss the Northern California Entomology Society meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6 in Contra Costa County. You don't have to be a member. No one is going to ask you "What are you doing here?" or comment "I guess they...
The Good
The Bad
The Ugly
