Pests in the Urban Landscape

You've probably seen this invasive plant growing along highways or the coast in California. Highway iceplant, Carpobrotus edulis, was intentionally introduced to prevent soil erosion along highways and coasts but it has since invaded many different ecosystems and outcompetes native plant species.

The Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) is a small, aphid-sized insect that poses a serious threat to California's citrus trees. This invasive pest can carry and transmit a fatal bacterial disease called Huanglongbing (HLB) to all citrus species.

The 10th annual California Invasive Species Action Week (CISAW) will kick off Saturday June 3rd and runs to Sunday June 11th. This week is designed to raise awareness and encourage public participation in the ongoing fight against invasive species.

The invasive pest spotlight focuses on emerging or potential invasive pests in California. In this issue we are covering the emerald ash borer.

What is that weird wormlike thing in your garden? A slug? An earthworm? It may be neitherit it might be a land planarian. Land planaria are also called terrestrial flatworms and hammerhead worms.