Workshop focuses on pest monitoring

The Univ. of Calif. Cooperative Extension and the Center for Applied Horticultural Research (CfAHR) in Vista, Calif., have established workshops to educate employees about pest monitoring in ornamental plant production. The workshop, titled “Pest Monitoring in Ornamental Plant Production”, is a 6-hour session of intensive practical training in basic entomology, pest damage, monitoring techniques and the basics of integrated pest management. The next workshop will take place on Aug. 16 at CfAHR.

The program emphasizes monitoring as a key component of IPM programs and for reducing pesticide use. Its practical component consists of hands-on activities for the participants to familiarize themselves with microscopes and stereoscopes, symptoms of pest attack, damage caused by abiotic factors and how to differentiate it from pest attack, and effective monitoring for pests in production areas.

The program is coordinated by James Bethke and Irma Debonis at UCCE and by Lucia Villavicencio at CfAHR.