Citrus Education Events and Field Days 2009

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Listed here are the laboratory, computer training, and/or field events relating to San Joaquin Valley citrus entomology that are developed and moderated by Dr. Beth Grafton-Cardwell (University of California Riverside, stationed at the Kearney Ag Center in Parlier CA, 559-646-6591, bethgc@uckac.edu).  Funding in support of this activity is provided by the Citrus Research Board Education Committee.  If you would like to be part of our email meeting notification list, please contact Greg Montez gregm@uckac.edu.

California Red Scale: Workshop on Identification of
California Red Scale and Parasite Life Stages

Thursday, September 24, 2009
Lindcove Research and Extension Center
22963 Carson Ave., Exeter, CA 93221

Instructor: Dr. Beth Grafton-Cardwell

Course Objective: To teach PCAs and growers how to recognize the various life stages of scale and their parasites. With this knowledge PCAs and growers can determine the level of parasitism of California red scale in their citrus orchards and make better decisions about scale control tactics.
7:30-8:00 a.m. Registration – Lindcove REC Conference Room
8:00-12:00
A. Introduction: The armored scale problem
B. Lecture: Life stages of California red scale
C. Microscope: Identification of scale stages, including molts and instars as well as differentiation of males and females
D. Lecture: Life stages of Aphytis melinus and Comperiella bifasciata
E. Microscope: Identification of external parasitization by Aphytis melinus and internal parasitization by Comperiella bifasciata in armored scale
12:00-1:00 Lunch (provided)
1:00-3:00 p.m.
A. Continuation of microscope identification of scale and parasitism
B. Quiz on scale stages and parasitism
3:00-4:30 p.m. Field site at LREC
A. Hand lens: Identification of scale stages
B. Hand lens: Identification of external parasitization by Aphytis melinus and internal parasitization by Comperiella bifasciata in scale
Cost of the Workshop is $40 (including lunch and classroom materials). Class size is limited to 24 participants so early sign-up is recommended. Have a spot held by contacting with Anita Hunt (559) 592-2408 ext 151 or email: amdhunt@ucdavis.edu. A check will reserve your place in the class. Please list all attendees that the check will be paying for. Checks are made payable to the UC Regents, mailed to: Lindcove REC, 22963 Carson Avenue, Exeter, CA 93221. Checks must be received before September 20th. We request that participants bring a hand lens and 10-20 pieces of scale-infested fruit from one of their own orchards to the class. If you own a dissection microscope and light, please bring it with you.
7 hours of Continuing Education credits have been requested.

California Red Scale: The Proper Care and Release of Aphytis Wasps and How do I know if they are working?

Friday, September 25, 2009
Lindcove Research and Extension Center
22963 Carson Ave., Exeter, CA 93221

Moderator/Instructor: Dr. Beth Grafton-Cardwell
Panel Discussion: Phil Forster (Mulholland Citrus Insects), Robert van der Staay (Good Bugs Insectary), Teri Blazer (Sespe Creek Insectary), Robert Walther (ESIR)

Day 2 Objective: To teach PCAs and growers how Aphytis works to control California red scale, how to release Aphytis properly (avoiding extremes of temperature, pesticides and other factors that limit parasitism), and how to evaluate its success.

8:00-8:30 a.m. Registration: Lindcove REC conference room
8:30-9:30 a.m.:
Beth Grafton-Cardwell: How Aphytis melinus works to control California red scale. Conditions for release, methods of release, and methods of evaluation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.:
Panel Discussion by PCAs and Insectary personnel on proper care, release methods, and evaluation of Aphytis wasps.
11:00-12:00 pm
Brief overview of hand lens identification of external parasitization by Aphytis melinus and internal parasitization by Comperiella bifasciata in armored scale

This portion of the workshop is free and class size is unlimited. We request that participants bring a hand lens and 10-20 pieces of scale-infested fruit from one of their own orchards to the class.
3 hours of Continuing Education credits have been requested.