Andrew Mason Sutherland

University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources | UCANR · UCCE / UC IPM

Subterranean termites in the genus Reticulitermes Holmgren 1913 are among the most economically important wood-destroying pests in the western United States. Yet, there remains uncertainty regarding the tax-onomy and biology of the species in this genus. The 2 species described as having distributions in this region are the western subterranean ter...

The western yellowjacket, Vespula pensylvanica (Saussure), is an important seasonal pest of recreational and outdoor venues in the western United States. Its propensity to scavenge food increases the likelihood of stinging incidences. Control measures are limited to intensive trapping and treating subterranean nests. The only toxicant registered fo...

Rhinotermitid termites, serious pests of wooden structures throughout the world, are commonly controlled with chitin synthesis inhibitor bait systems. Seasonal termite foraging patterns in some regions may prolong bait interception time, however, significantly decreasing colony elimination speed. We hypothesized that installing baits immediately pr...

Applications of systemic pesticides can have unexpected direct and indirect effects on nontarget organisms, producing ecosystem-level impacts. We investigated whether a systemic insecticide (imidacloprid) could be absorbed by a plant pathogenic fungus infecting treated plants and whether the absorbed levels were high enough to have detrimental effe...

Applications of systemic pesticides can have unexpected direct and indirect effects on nontarget organisms, producing ecosystem-level impacts. We investigated whether a systemic insecticide (imidacloprid) could be absorbed by a plant pathogenic fungus infecting treated plants and whether the absorbed levels were high enough to have detrimental effe...

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) continue to increase as serious pests in the built environment. These insects are particularly problematic in low-income multiunit housing buildings, where infestations are difficult to control, tend to become chronic, and the locations serve as reservoirs from which bed bugs disperse. This document reviews and repor...

Introduction: To reduce young children's exposure to pests and pesticides, an integrated pest management (IPM) intervention was provided for child care center staff. Methods: The 7-month IPM education and consultation intervention was conducted by trained nurse child care health consultants in 44 child care centers in California. IPM knowledge s...

Detection and delimitation, usually accomplished via visual inspection, are primary tactics used for integrated pest management of drywood termite infestations, helping to determine whether whole-structure or localized treatment will be required. Borescopes, fiber-optic devices enabling views within voids, represent alternative or supplemental insp...

Subterranean and Other termiteS Termites comprise a large and diverse group of ecologically and economically important insects that feed on cellulose, principally in wood. Worldwide there are over 2,600 species of termites; in species. Although many people associ-ate termites with negative impacts, in nature they make many positive contri-butions t...

The worldwide resurgence of bed bugs has recently created urban pest challenges in California. Regardless of information source — newspaper, Internet, television, university or government — the message is the same: bed bugs are back, and with a vengeance. Until recently, the pest’s longstanding rarity and a historical reliance on pesticide-based ma...

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a major horticultural pest and an important vector of plant viruses in many parts of the world. Methods for assessing thrips population density for pest management decision support are often inaccurate or imprecise due to thrips' positive thigmotaxis, small s...

The adults and larvae of halyziine coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Halyziini) are obligate mycophages on hyphae and conidia of powdery mildew (PM) (Erysiphales) fungi, that are plant pathogens warranting chemical control in many managed systems. These insects have been observed to reduce PM severity through consumption. Fungicide applicati...

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, is a major pest and vector in many parts of the world. Methods for assessing thrips population density for pest management decision support are often inaccurate and/or imprecise due to thrips’ positive thigmotaxis, small size, and naturally aggregated populations. Two established methods, flower ta...

Mycophagy, though often overlooked, represents an interesting and unique ecological niche within the Coccinellidae. Facultative mycophagy has been reported from the aphidophagous Coccinellini and the polyphagous Tytthaspidini. Members of Halyziini, a cosmopolitan tribe of the Coccinellinae, are obligate mycophages specializing on the powdery mildew...

Biological control of powdery mildew (PM) plant pathogens may offer a solution to chemical control problems such as resistance, worker safety, and effects on nontarget organisms. Unfortunately, mildew consumption by arthropods is seldom studied and poorly understood. The coccinellid tribe Halyziini is composed entirely of obligate consumers of vari...

The coccinellid tribe Halyziini consists entirely of obligate mycophages. The adults and immature stages of all described species are known to feed only on the hyphae and conidia of various powdery mildew (PM) fungi (Erysiphales). While there is definite promise in the utilization of these insects for augmentative biological control, disease indica...