Mohammad Amir Aghaee, entomology program leader at the California Polytechnic University Strawberry Center and UC Davis alumnus, will present a seminar titled “Berries vs. Bugs” on April 8 at UC Davis. The event will take place at 12:10 p.m. in Briggs Hall and will also be available via Zoom.
The seminar is part of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology series and aims to inform attendees about key pests affecting strawberries in California, as well as integrated pest management (IPM) strategies used by growers. This topic is significant for the state’s agriculture sector due to ongoing challenges posed by pests such as lygus bugs, spider mites, and spotted-wing drosophila.
Aghaee said in his abstract that “Lygus bugs, spider mites, and spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) are important economic arthropod pests of strawberries. Lygus bug feeding causes fruit distortion which makes the product unmarketable for fresh produce. Damaging levels of lygus, spider mites, and SWD threat yield and production.” He explained that while insecticides and miticides are commonly used against these pests, resistance issues have emerged: “Chemicals applied against these pests are plagued by resistance development in both target and non-target pests and the reduction of natural enemies that regulate both. Judicious use of insecticides and miticides is a crucial component of integrated pest management (IPM).”
He added that growers need updated information about product effectiveness when properly applied, their impact on non-target arthropods including beneficial species, as well as potential replacement products under development: “Technologies such as bug vacuums, UV_C, and improving predatory mite releases are important chemical alternatives in California strawberry production.” According to Aghaee’s LinkedIn profile cited in the announcement, he leads entomological research focused on field needs within the strawberry industry.
Aghaee previously worked for Bayer Crop Science managing field trials for new insecticidal traits before joining Cal Poly’s Strawberry Center in December 2023. His academic background includes a doctorate from UC Davis where he researched rice weevil management under Extension entomologist Larry Godfrey.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), which supports programs like this seminar through public contributions according to its official website, promotes sustainable practices to strengthen resilient ecosystems according to its official website. The organization operates nine research centers representing diverse ecosystems according to its official website across all 58 counties with more than 33,000 educational events annually according to its official website. UC ANR also manages Cooperative Extension services within the University of California system according to its official website.
UC ANR has been recognized for linking university research with community needs through workshops, partnerships with local organizations—and by mobilizing volunteers—to address state issues while enhancing economic contributions according to its official website.
The upcoming seminar highlights ongoing efforts by researchers like Aghaee working with universities and industry partners to address agricultural challenges facing California’s farmers.
