This course will teach PCAs about citrus mealybug, an emerging concern for citrus growers. The field day will include lectures on pest identification and biology, scouting/monitoring, best management practices, ant control, and ongoing research activities and recent results. With this knowledge, PCAs can monitor the fields for mealybug infestation 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)

1. Introduction: What are mealybugs, and why are they an emerging issue
2. How to identify mealybugs
3. Scouting and monitoring, male trap cards
4. Research results from pesticide trials
5. Best Management Practices
6. Q&A

9:30-9:50 AM: Biocontrol of citrus mealybug (Kelby Keeling, Graduate Student, Fresno State University)

1. Natural enemies of the citrus mealybug
2. 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

1. Hands-on activities to differentiate between life stages
2. Counting males on the trap card
3. 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)

1. Sugar feeding ants and their behavior
2. Ant management in orchard systems
3. 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.

You are recommended to bring a 10x hand lens for reading pheromone cards. We will be observing some infested young trees from the greenhouse with overlapping stages.

Continuing Education 3.0, other units approved. To attend, please REGISTER HERE or email sangautam@ucanr.edu