IN YOUR ORCHARD
THE ALMOND BOARD
Got Carpophilus Beetle? Make it Official with the Ag Commissioner The carpophilus beetle, a serious pest threatening California’s almond contacts me about suspected beetle damage, I usually visit the farm to
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) for verification. The current process means that many beetle infestations, though identified by researchers, remain unofficial. ”While we have unofficial records from our survey efforts, my understanding is that the official records only reflect what has gone through the CDFA process,“ Wilson said. For growers, the discrepancy between unofficial and official findings is more than just a technicality — it could also affect the allocation of resources. According to the Almond Alliance, securing state and federal assistance depends on having documented proof of the beetle’s widespread presence. ”The widespread documentation of the carpophilus beetle serves as a vital indicator of the extent and severity of the issue,“ said Almond Alliance president and CEO Alexi Rodriguez. ”When more counties report official beetle findings, it underscores the pervasive nature of the problem, highlighting its impact beyond isolated areas.“ Challenges in Reporting Wilson acknowledges that the reporting process can be complicated, but he and his team actively assist growers. ”If a grower
industry, is officially documented in only four counties — Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, and Kings. However, according to entomologists and industry experts, its presence is far more widespread, raising concerns about the limitations of official reporting and its impact on securing resources for control and mitigation. Houston Wilson, a Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Entomology at UC Riverside, has been surveying reports and conducting research on the beetle in collaboration with other UC and USDA researchers. “We’ve identified infested orchards — both almonds and pistachios — from every county within the San Joaquin Valley,” Wilson said. “We’re also hearing reports of crop damage from the Sacramento Valley (Sacramento through Butte Counties), but we have yet to directly confirm it there due to limited survey efforts.” The Importance of Official Documentation Despite mounting evidence of the carpophilus beetle’s spread, official state records remain limited. Wilson explains that for a find to be considered ”official,“ the county Agricultural Commissioner must collect a sample and submit it to the
assess the situation,“ he said. ”If we confirm the presence of the carpophilus beetle in a county that hasn’t had an official report, we advise them to contact their Agricultural Commissioner and guide them through the reporting process.“ Rodriguez recognizes the difficulties growers face in reporting. ”I want to acknowledge that the reporting process is not easy; however, expanding the network of official findings will allow us to advocate for more effective solutions by highlighting the problem’s regional and national significance,“ she said. Identifying the Carpophilus Beetle For growers looking to detect the beetle, Wilson advises examining nuts in windrows, where nuts can be easily
The carpophilus beetle, first identified in California orchards in 2023, is believed to be fairly widespread, however official reports of the pest have only been filed in four counties. Photo courtesy of UC ANR
42
ALMOND FACTS
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker