Courtesy : Surendra Dara/UCCE Farmers in the desert regions may be seeing increased bagrada bug pressures during the fall season. The pest can be particularly challenging due to the number…
Making Sense of Biologicals: Entomopathogenic Fungi Mythbusting
…unknowns when it comes to several biological products, especially these beneficial fungi. In this episode, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist Dr. Surendra Dara helps us answer some of the questions about…
Making Sense of Biologicals: Evaluating Biologicals on Botrytis in Strawberries
…Dara conducted a comparative study of ten different products, five of which were biologicals. Dara said that some of the biological options performed very well in comparison to the chemical…
Making Sense of Biologicals: Biologicals Not Just For An Organic IPM Program
A complete IPM program is a perfect place for a lot of the biological products on the market. UC Cooperative Extension Entomology and Biologics Advisor Surendra Dara joins AgNet West’s…
Strawberry Field Day Moves to Virtual Format This Year
…July 28. Organizer of the yearly event, Cooperative Extension Advisor for Entomology and Biologicals, Surendra Dara noted that the online version of the field day will still provide the same…
Making Sense of Biologicals: Increasing Interest and Remaining Challenges
This episode of Making Sense of Biologicals details why we continue to see an increased interest in biological products. UC Cooperative Extension Entomology and Biologicals Advisor Dr. Surendra Dara discusses…
Live, Adult Spotted Lanternfly Found in California
…from someone familiar with the identification of this pest,” said UC Cooperative Extension Entomologist Surendra Dara. “(They) found this, a live adult insect, in California on a tree.” The insect…
New IPM Model Takes Systems Approach to Addressing Modern Issues
A new integrated pest management (IPM) philosophy developed by UC Cooperative Extension Entomology and Biologics Advisor Surendra Dara expands on traditional methods to better adapt to modern issues. The new…
Biologicals Not Just for Organic Production
…main reasons,” University of California Cooperative Extension Advisor Surendra Dara said. Dara has been researching biologicals for some time and says although more organic acres means more use of bio-products, he is…
Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Flaring Up Again in California
…Advisor Surendra Dara reported there have now been some unpublished reports of the insect in organic vineyards and backyard vines along the Central Coast. Harrisina metallica Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer-adult According to the UC…
Avocado Advocates Share the Love
…find.” Quinoa Avocado Breakfast Bowl Communicating when California avocados are in season is one of the key roles CAC’s blogger ambassadors play. Blogger Dara Michalski of Cookin’ Canuck noted, “My…
Alyssum Attracts Good and Bad Insects
Courtesy : Surendra Dara Some growers use sweet alyssum to promote biological defenses but a new dangerous agriculture pest to California is also showing to be attracted to the plant….
Annual Santa Maria Vegetable Meeting on September 24, 2015
The University of California Cooperative Extension’s Strawberry and Vegetable Crops Advisor, Surendra Dara is hosting his Annual Santa Maria Vegetable Meeting September 24, 2015 from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm….
First University of California Smart Phone App for Integrated Pest Management Outreach
The University of California Cooperative Extension’s Strawberry and Vegetable Crops and Affiliated Integrated Pest Management Advisor, Surendra Dara created the first free IPM info smart phone app for agricultural professionals….