The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) today released the much anticipated Environmental Impact Report (EIR) detailing the agency’s methods to manage the light brown apple moth (LBAM) and defining what, if any, impacts those methods have on the environment.
The study is especially welcome because it makes evidence-based decisions and recommendations on which treatment options are most effective while still keeping the health and safety of Californians and the environment as the key, most important focus. Read more... (217 words, 1 image, estimated 52 secs reading time)
The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver have been an amazing spectacle. All of the athletes who have worked so hard and are now putting all that practice to work…it’s impressive. Whether they medal or not, the experience must be a life-altering one.
People have traveled from all over the world to participate in the Games, to watch the events, and to be part of the festivities. And who wouldn’t want to remember such a fun event with souvenirs? In fact, I recently read an article about the Olympic Superstore in Vancouver and all the cool souvenirs visitors can purchase. Read more... (383 words, 1 image, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)
Yet another new pest arrived in California in late 2009: the European Grapevine Moth, or Lobesia botrana. The first detection in the United States was in Napa County in September 2009. Since that first confirmed detection, European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) has been found on more than 30 properties in Napa County, mostly in the Oakville and Rutherford areas.
EGVM is a big concern for vineyard owners and grape growers. The moth larvae pack a double whammy—not only do they impact the fruit, they make the plants more vulnerable to botrytis bunch rot, which can greatly impact grape production. Unlike other moths, EGVM eggs are laid on blossoms, leaves and tender twigs, and larvae feed in flowers and fruit, affecting more than the leaves or bark. The combination of damage from moth larvae and botrytis bunch rot can decimate a harvest. Read more... (360 words, 1 image, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)
Valentine’s Day is nearly here. You may already have plans for celebrating with your loved ones or you may still be figuring out the best way to express your affection. Is it by treating them to a fancy meal? Cooking at home? Gifting them with chocolate or jewelry, power tools or poems? There are seemingly endless ways to commemorate the holiday of love.
One of the most popular expressions of love on Valentine’s Day is sending fresh flowers—it’s said to be the busiest day of the year for florists. There was even a Super Bowl commercial about sending flowers for Valentine’s Day. And while I won’t endorse one florist over another, the underlying message of that commercial is a good one: know where your flowers are coming from. Read more... (411 words, 1 image, estimated 1:39 mins reading time)
The spread of Asian Citrus Psyllid into California and the threat of citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing or HLB) becoming established here has been all over the news recently. It’s an important issue and one that we are closely following. Sometimes there are interesting articles out there about this and other invasive pest topics, with new or different perspectives, that we would like to share with our audience. When we see those items online, we’ll provide excerpts of the article or blog post along with our perspective. One of those excerpts is below, on Asian Citrus Psyllid. Read on… Read more... (520 words, 1 image, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)
Author: Larry Hawkins, Legislative & Public Affairs Officer, USDA-APHIS | Tags: 