Seminar Dates: November 13, 2025 8:00 AM
Seminar Cost: $45.00 Register Now
Seminar Description:
Invasive tree pests pose a significant threat to the urban forest, often causing severe damage. Tree care professionals in Southern California frequently face the challenges of managing the aftermath of infestations by pests such as invasive shothole borers and goldspotted oak borers. Without timely intervention, these infestations can lead to tree decline and even mortality. Moreover, infested trees often become public safety hazards due to the risk of falling limbs.
Managing these pests is no easy task, as there is no universal solution. Successful management requires accurate pest identification and the implementation of an integrated pest management (IPM) program tailored to the unique needs and constraints of each location and client.
In this seminar, you will learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of invasive bark and ambrosia beetle infestations. We will cover the core principles of IPM and provide practical guidance on designing and implementing an effective program to manage these pests. Additionally, we will review the available management options for each pest, discuss the appropriate contexts for their use, and explore new methodologies and strategies to enhance pest management outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
1. Recognize and Diagnose Infestations: Participants will learn to identify the key signs and symptoms of invasive bark and ambrosia beetle infestations, including invasive shothole borers and goldspotted oak borers, to accurately diagnose affected trees.
2. Apply Integrated Pest Management Principles:Participants will understand the core principles of integrated pest management (IPM) and learn how to design and implement tailored IPM programs based on specific site needs and pest characteristics.
3. Evaluate and Utilize Management Strategies: Participants will gain knowledge of the available management options for invasive tree pests, understand when and how to use each method effectively, and explore new tools and strategies to improve pest control outcomes.
Beatriz Nobua-Behrmann, Ph.D.
Dr. Beatriz Nobua-Behrmann is a University of California Cooperative Extension advisor for Orange and Los Angeles Counties, specialized in Urban Forestry. Her research background is in insect-plant interactions. She received her Ph. D. in insect ecology and her B.S. in Biology from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Beatriz’s research and extension program is focused on finding appropriate management strategies for urban forest pests that affect Southern California’s trees, like the invasive shothole borers and goldspotted oak borer.
