Invasive 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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Leaffooted bug eggs. Photo by David R. Haviland, UCCE.
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Easter Egg Hunt Answers!

April 1, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Below are answers to UC IPM's 2024 insect Easter egg hunt! Click on the name of each insect to learn more. A. Brown marmorated stink bug These eggs belong to the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) a pest of many types of plants and occasional indoor nuisance.
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West Nile virus is mainly spread by Culex mosquitoes. Photo by Matthew Bertone, North Carolina State University Extension.
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Invasive Pest Spotlight: West Nile Virus

March 26, 2024
By Mackenzie F Patton
The invasive pest spotlight focuses on emerging or potential invasive pests in California. In this issue we are covering West Nile virus. West Nile virus disease was first reported in California in 2003 and has become the most common and serious vector-borne disease in California.
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