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Category Archives: Invasive Species

Know Your Pests: Oriental Fruit Fly

September 22, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Oriental Fruit Fly As part of our “Know Your Pests” series leading up to California’s Invasive Species Council summit on October 1-2 in Sacramento, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is highlighting invasive pests and plant diseases that Californians should know what to look for, and what to do if they see or suspect one. Knowing what to …

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Posted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species | Leave a comment

Know Your Pests: Japanese Beetle

September 21, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Japanese Beetle As part of our “Know Your Pests” series leading up to California’s Invasive Species Council summit on October 1-2 in Sacramento, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is highlighting invasive pests that Californians should know how to identify and what to do if they see or suspect one. Knowing what to look for and reporting a …

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How 30 Years of Prevention Cut California Medfly Infestations by Over 90%

August 5, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

Celebrating Three Decades of CDFA’s Medfly Preventive Release Program This year marks the 30th anniversary of California’s Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) Preventive Release Program (PRP), a landmark pest prevention effort that helps protect agriculture, natural resources and urban food production in the Los Angeles Basin and across the state from devastating environmental and economic losses. Established in 1996, the Medfly …

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Posted in Border stations, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Sustainable Pest Management, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Update: New World Screwworm detected in Texas, New Mexico; California remains clear 

June 8, 2026   Jay Van Rein, CDFA Office of Public Affairs

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that the New World Screwworm – an invasive, destructive parasite – has been detected in Texas and New Mexico, marking the the pest’s first incursion into the United States since it was successfully eradicated in the 1960s.  Current Status for California  There are currently NO confirmed detections of New World Screwworm in California. The California Department …

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Posted in Animal health, Invasive Species | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

New Report: “CDFA’s Contributions to California’s Agricultural Excellence”

February 9, 2026   Office of Public Affairs

By Karen Ross, SecretaryCalifornia Department of Food and Agriculture We work hard to make California a better place to live because of what we grow and how we grow it. At the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), we work to build and safeguard resilient food systems – including programs that improve nutrition for students and extend additional benefits …

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Posted in Agricultural Education, Alternative Fuels, Climate Change, Climate Smart Agriculture, Food Access, Food Safety, Invasive Species, Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Guard your Green: Invasive Plant Pests Threaten Your Community’s Trees and Gardens

April 9, 2024   Office of Public Affairs

USDA Proclaims April 2024 as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month Our partners at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have proclaimed April 2024 as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month. During this month, we are encouraging everyone—whether you’re a gardener or a camper, a bug enthusiast or a student, a traveler, or an online shopper—to learn about …

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Invasive Species Webinar: “Defending the Golden State”

June 7, 2023   Office of Public Affairs

Secretary Ross featured in webinar panel on invasive species and California’s collaborative efforts to reduce their impacts In recognition of Invasive Species Action Week (June 3-11), CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined a stellar panel of invasive species experts in government, academia and beyond for this webinar about the many ways that invasive plants and animals can wreak havoc on California’s …

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CDFA Border Stations helping to prevent risk of invasive mussel infestation during boating season

May 25, 2022   Office of Public Affairs

Once again, CDFA is partnering with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California State Parks, and the Department of Water Resources to help prevent invasive quagga and zebra mussels from entering California. Staff at CDFA Border Inspection Stations are inspecting boats and other watercraft entering the state for unwanted hitchhikers. Boaters are urged to take the following steps to …

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Posted in Border stations, Environment, Invasive Species, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tree Nut Growers: 2021 Navel Orangeworm Survey has begun

August 2, 2021   Office of Public Affairs

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division is releasing the 2021 Navel Orangeworm Program Survey to growers. The survey addresses the development of new tools to detect and control navel orangeworm in tree nut crops, including sterile insect technique (SIT), which is an environmentally-friendly pest control method involving the mass-rearing and sterilization of …

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Posted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

2019 in Review: Protecting Crops, Animals and More from Pests and Diseases

January 2, 2020   Office of Public Affairs
Posted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species | 1 Comment