Topics in Subtropics

It never rains, but………. yeah, this is California, and we have had outbreaks of False Chinch Bug and Stink Bug since July, also whitefly especially on citrus. These insects aren’t so particular about avocado and are more or less generalist pests that feed on a variety of plants. They just happen to feed on…

Summer has come and we have a new newsletter to cover this period.  Read on the following topics:• The Role of Pollinators in Avocado Production  • Is that a Fruit Fly? • Sivanto Labeled for Control of Pink Hibiscus Mealybug in Dates • Consperse Stink Bug • Insights on 2025 Honey Bee…

Agave cultivation is emerging as a promising alternative for dryland farming in California. This resilient crop thrives under low water conditions and contains valuable compounds—fructans, saponins, flavonoids, and terpenes—linked to health benefits and multiple industrial uses, including beverages, biofuels…

After Fire in Avocado Orchards, Stop!Avocado orchards are often right in the thick of fire because of their location near wildlands. Every year many trees are fire damaged, but most trees don’t die, they get toasted. That’s because a fast-moving fire often only heats up the canopy and low hanging fruit…

The destruction after a fire can be pretty gruesome and sad. Many times, though the fire moves through the orchard so fast that, even though the canopy has turned brown, there is a good chance the trees can come back. It all depends on how much damage has been done to the trunk. If the fire has substantially…