Facebook
X (Twitter)
Reddit
Pinterest
Tumblr
LinkedInPosts Tagged: beneficial insects
New UCCE Ventura Published Article - Management of Lewis Spider Mite in Strawberry
The article focuses on experiments performed in the laboratory and the field on the Lewis spider mite and the two-spotted spider mite. Tests were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of four types of predatory mites in controlling both kinds of spider mite. Miticide efficacy was also tested on the Lewis spider mite in bioassays.
These mites can cause serious damage to strawberry and other agricultural crops with subsequent financial loss to growers. Spider mite research is particularly relevant to Ventura County where strawberry production is the top crop grown and spider mite infestations have been on the rise.
Anna Howell is an experienced entomologist who has contributed her efforts to many research projects here at UCCE Ventura. Dr. Daugovish is UCCE's strawberry and vegetable crop adviser whose applied research benefits county growers and is an active contributor to "Strawberry Disorders: Identification and Management" website, a resource for assisting in diagnosing problems in strawberry.
You can view the entire article here.
Biological control and natural enemies
Biological control can be used to control pests and the damage they cause in gardens, landscapes, agricultural, range and wildlands.
What is biological control? Biological control is using natural enemies to reduce the numbers of pests. Natural enemies include: predators, parasites, pathogens and competitors. Pests include: pest insects, mites, weeds, pathogens, nematodes and vertebrate pests.
Using biological control methods can reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides. Reducing pesticide and herbicide use is beneficial to improving water quality.
To learn more about biological control, please see UC’s Natural enemies gallery. Resources include:
- Biological control and natural enemies pest note
- Narrated presentation on biological control
- Meet the beneficials: Natural enemies of garden pests
- Descriptions and identification of many predators and parasitoids commonly found on California farms and landscapes
- And much more
Natural enemies resources in Spanish can be found towards the bottom of this page.
Most of these resources are available at no charge. However, some are priced publications. When ordering online, please use promo code PRVEN56 to receive 10% off your order, plus a portion of the purchase price will go towards supporting local programs.
Interested in learning, but not purchasing? Priced publications can be viewed in our office. Please contact us in advance to ensure publication will be available upon your arrival.
Seven spotted lady beetle
What most people refer to as a lady bug is actually the sevenspotted lady beetle Coccinella septempunctata. They are a beneficial insect , and are natural enemies to many species of aphids.
Most lady beetles, including the sevenspotted lady beetle, are predaceous as both larvae and adults.
Adults are between 0.28 to 0.31 inch (7-8mm). Seven black spots are located on its red or orangish wing covers. Larvae are alligator shaped and are the same length as adults. The pupal stage lasts between 3 -12 days and is temperature dependent.
Females deposit spindle shaped, small eggs 0.04 inch (1 mm long) in small clusters on leaves and stems. The eggs are typically laid near prey. Female lady beetles can lay from 200-1000 over a one to three month period.
To find out more, please see UC IPM’s Natural Enemies Gallery.
