November 2023 - 38

ORGANIC GROWER: PEST VACUUM
LYGUS BUGS
California's unique strawberry pest control method
Photos courtesy of California Strawberry Commission
BY CHRIS KOGER
MANAGING EDITOR
A
novel pest management method is sweeping
through California strawberry fields. Well, not
sweeping, exactly.
Growers and equipment dealers are essentially
turning tractors into giant vacuums to remove Lygus
bugs, which cause an estimated $200 million in lost
sales throughout the state each year. The bugs pierce
seeds as the berries develop, causing irregular-shaped
fruit, known as cat-facing.
38 | FALL 2023 ORGANIC GROWER
Although research and grower interest in vacuuming
Lygus bugs has been around for more than 25 years,
a collaboration with the California Strawberry
Commission, Cal Poly Strawberry Center, C&N Tractors
and growers has greatly improved the efficiency of the
bug vacuums. Growers can purchase tractors outfitted
with the latest versions of the vacuums, or download
plans from the internet https://strawberry.calpoly.edu/
double-barrel-bug-vacuum and fashion the tractor addons
in their shop.
Beyond addressing the ever-present problem of
Lygus bugs, the vacuums do so without introducing

https://strawberry.calpoly.edu/

November 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2023

Editor's Letter
AgTech: Robotics + smart machinery
AgTech: Robotic maneuvers
Cover story: MSHS welcomes new leader
40 Under 40 Class of 2023
Great Lakes EXPO News: Managing IPM programs and nutrient uptake
Great Lakes EXPO: Schedule at a glance
Tree Fruit Variety Showcase
Organic Grower Fall 2023
NASGA Summer Tour: Garden State demand
2024 Buyers' Guide
Blueberries: Unique blueberries
Strawberries: Strawberry options
Farm Market & Agritourism: Revolutionize customer relationships
Ag Labor Review: DOL's end run
Classifieds
Advertiser Index
November 2023 - 1
November 2023 - 2
November 2023 - 3
November 2023 - Editor's Letter
November 2023 - 5
November 2023 - AgTech: Robotics + smart machinery
November 2023 - 7
November 2023 - 8
November 2023 - 9
November 2023 - AgTech: Robotic maneuvers
November 2023 - 11
November 2023 - 12
November 2023 - 13
November 2023 - Cover story: MSHS welcomes new leader
November 2023 - 15
November 2023 - 16
November 2023 - 17
November 2023 - 18
November 2023 - 40 Under 40 Class of 2023
November 2023 - 2A
November 2023 - 3A
November 2023 - 4A
November 2023 - 5A
November 2023 - 6A
November 2023 - 7A
November 2023 - 8A
November 2023 - 9A
November 2023 - 10A
November 2023 - 11A
November 2023 - 12A
November 2023 - Great Lakes EXPO News: Managing IPM programs and nutrient uptake
November 2023 - Great Lakes EXPO: Schedule at a glance
November 2023 - 15A
November 2023 - 16A
November 2023 - Tree Fruit Variety Showcase
November 2023 - 20
November 2023 - 21
November 2023 - 22
November 2023 - 23
November 2023 - 24
November 2023 - 25
November 2023 - 26
November 2023 - 27
November 2023 - 28
November 2023 - 29
November 2023 - 30
November 2023 - Organic Grower Fall 2023
November 2023 - 32
November 2023 - 33
November 2023 - 34
November 2023 - 35
November 2023 - 36
November 2023 - 37
November 2023 - 38
November 2023 - 39
November 2023 - 40
November 2023 - 41
November 2023 - 42
November 2023 - 43
November 2023 - 44
November 2023 - 45
November 2023 - NASGA Summer Tour: Garden State demand
November 2023 - 47
November 2023 - 48
November 2023 - 49
November 2023 - 50
November 2023 - 2024 Buyers' Guide
November 2023 - 52
November 2023 - 53
November 2023 - 54
November 2023 - 55
November 2023 - 56
November 2023 - 57
November 2023 - 58
November 2023 - 59
November 2023 - 60
November 2023 - 61
November 2023 - 62
November 2023 - 63
November 2023 - 64
November 2023 - 65
November 2023 - 66
November 2023 - 67
November 2023 - 68
November 2023 - 69
November 2023 - 70
November 2023 - Blueberries: Unique blueberries
November 2023 - 72
November 2023 - 73
November 2023 - Strawberries: Strawberry options
November 2023 - 75
November 2023 - Farm Market & Agritourism: Revolutionize customer relationships
November 2023 - 77
November 2023 - Ag Labor Review: DOL's end run
November 2023 - 79
November 2023 - Classifieds
November 2023 - 81
November 2023 - Advertiser Index
November 2023 - 83
November 2023 - 84
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