The Citrus Mealybug Field Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 8 a.m. at the Lincove Research and Extension Center (22963 Carson Ave, Exeter, CA).
This course will educate PCAs about citrus mealybugs, an emerging concern for citrus growers. The field day will include lectures on pest identification and biology, scouting/monitoring, best management practices, ant control, ongoing research activities, and recent results. PCAs will learn how to monitor fields for mealybug infestations and develop informed management strategies.
8:00 AM: Registration
8:30-9:30 AM: Citrus mealybug biology, phenology, and management (Sandipa Gautam, IPM Advisor, Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Madera Counties)
- Introduction: What are mealybugs, and why are they an emerging issue
- How to identify mealybugs
- Scouting and monitoring, male trap cards
- Research results from pesticide trials
- Best Management Practices
- Q&A
9:30-9:50 AM: Biocontrol of citrus mealybug (Kelby Keeling, Graduate Student, Fresno State University)
- Natural enemies of the citrus mealybug
- Results from ongoing studies on understanding the status of biocontrol in the SJV
9:50 -10:00 AM: Break
10:00 – 11:00 AM: Microscope/hands-on activities
- Hands-on activities to differentiate between life stages
- Counting males on the trap card
- Parasitism in action, parasitized vs healthy/active colonies
11:00 – 11:40 AM: Sugar-feeding ants and their management in orchard systems (David Haviland, Entomology Advisor, Kern County)
- Sugar feeding ants and their behavior
- Ant management in orchard systems
- Research results from ongoing trials in the context of managing sap sucking pests in citrus
11:40 – 12:00 AM: Feedback on field day. Discussion/on what worked and what didn’t. Field observations. Research and extension needs.
It is recommended that attendees bring a 10x hand lens for reading pheromone cards.
Continuing Education 3.0, other units approved. To attend, please REGISTER HERE or email sangautam@ucanr.edu.
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