'Bug Doctor' to Diagnose Plant Ailments for Public

Yes, the doctor is in -- the "Bug Doctor," that is. During UC Davis' annual Picnic Day open house on Saturday, April 20, members of the public are encouraged to bring along diseased or insect-damaged plant specimens from their gardens or homes for diagnosis. Michael Parrella, professor and chair of the UC Davis entomology department, and graduate students from the campus's Plant Protection and Pest Management Team, will be on hand to assess problems and identify the pests that are wreaking havoc in radishes to roses. Other entomology department activities that day will include an insect petting zoo, cockroach races, a tarantula exhibit and tours of the campus entomology museum. In addition, visitors will have a chance to participate in honey-tasting and observe bee-wrangling, thanks to entomology professor Christine Peng. All activities will take place at Briggs Hall on campus. Parrella and the "Bug Doctor" team will be available on the building's steps from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during Picnic Day.

Media Resources

Pat Bailey, Research news (emphasis: agricultural and nutritional sciences, and veterinary medicine), 530-219-9640, pjbailey@ucdavis.edu