Vegetation Management

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Figure 1. Metal art structure in transit to California. Photo credit: Sonoma County Dept of Agriculture/W&M
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Spotted Lanternfly: The Need to Remain Vigilant (Part 1)

November 19, 2024
By Cindy Kron
On March 27th, 2024, a flatbed truck carrying a metal art structure originating in New York and headed to Petaluma, California was stopped at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Agricultural Inspection Station in Truckee, California due to live spotted lanternfly (SLF) egg masse...
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A brown and yellow fly on a yellow-green background.
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Invasive Pest Spotlight: Mediterranean Fruit Fly

November 6, 2024
By Cherie Shook
The invasive pest spotlight focuses on emerging or potential invasive pests in California. In this issue we are covering the Mediterranean fruit fly. Mediterranean Fruit Fly Facts The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, commonly called Medfly, attacks more than 260 different plant species.
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A long, speckled brown insect with a pointed head on a green leaf.
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What are exotic and invasive pests?

July 16, 2024
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Exotic and invasive pests threaten California's natural environments, agricultural production, structures, landscapes and gardens. Exotic pests are organisms introduced into an area beyond their natural range and become pests in the new environment.
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Buy it where you burn it!
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Don’t Move Firewood!

July 1, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
What you do with firewood this upcoming 4th of July (and year-round!) can impact more than just the s'mores on your campfire. If you move firewood around the state, you could spread deadly plant diseases and invasive insects. Don't take firewood with you if you travel or camp this holiday weekend.
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A brown insect on a green leaf.
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Invasive Pest Spotlight: Glassy-winged Sharpshooter

June 6, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a large leafhopper that can transmit several important, often fatal, plant diseases in California. This includes Pierce's disease of grape, alfalfa dwarf, almond leaf scorch, and mulberry leaf scorch.
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A hand holding a dark green aquatic plant.
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Invasive Pest Spotlight: Hydrilla

June 5, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is an invasive, aquatic weed that can be found in many slow-moving fresh water bodies in California. The plant forms large mats that can crowd out native plants, restrict water flow, and interfere with boating and fishing.
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Black and white striped mosquito on human skin
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Invasive Pest Spotlight: Aedes Mosquitoes

June 4, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Aedes mosquitoes can transmit some of the most debilitating and deadly mosquito-borne pathogens to humans, such as Zika virus, dengue virus, chikungunya virus, and yellow fever virus. One Aedes species is also capable of transmitting heartworm to dogs.
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California Invasive Species Action Week is June 1-9, 2024.
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California Invasive Species Action Week 2024

June 3, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Help increase public awareness of invasive species and encourage participation in the ongoing fight against invasive species by celebrating California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) June 1- 9, 2024.
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A long, metallic green beetle on a penny.
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Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week 2024

May 20, 2024
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
The emerald ash borer (EAB) may be beautiful, but it is the most destructive forest pest ever seen in North America. Hundreds of millions of ash trees across 36 states and 5 Canadian provinces have been killed by this invasive insect.
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