Leaffooted bug can cause a lot of damage to almond, and UC adviser Dr. Kris Tollerup says it’s the time of year to start monitoring for the pests.
Almond Board – Monitoring for Leaffooted Bug
He says it’s especially important for growers who have almond orchards near pomegranates – a favorite crop for overwintering. Listen to ther report above for Tollerup’s grower tips on how to monitor.
More from The Almond Board:
Integrated pest management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based approach that emphasizes the balanced use of multiple tactics (nonchemical and chemical) to effectively manage pests. IPM focuses on preventive practices first because prevention is the first step in minimizing pest problems. The next step is to use recommended practices for monitoring pests and their symptoms as the basis for deciding if and when to control them. And finally, practices have been described for the effective and safe use of tactics to control economically damaging pest populations.
Control tactics may include mating disruption, cultural or biological controls, beneficial insects and the judicious use of pesticides, when necessary. Newer, softer pest management materials and non-pesticide options allow almond growers to plan an IPM program that protects not only this year’s crop, but also the long-term life of the orchard and surrounding environment.
The Almond Board of California has funded pest management research since 1973 in order to provide almond growers with science-based, IPM solutions for many pest problems. The results of these award-winning research programs are available to growers through this website as well as University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources publications and online pest management guidelines.