Citrus industry workers interested in learning more about citrus pest management are encouraged to enroll in Citrus Pest Management, a 16-week course that will be taught by University of Florida/IFAS faculty in Fall 2023. The course provides a comprehensive overview of citrus pests and how best to manage them in today’s citrus greening environment. The course is offered both for credit (3 credit hours) or non-credit.

Citrus Pest Management is a graduate-level course (3.0 units) for students and citrus industry personnel working in the area of pest management. The course reviews the latest tactics and strategies available to manage diseases and arthropod, nematode and weed pests of citrus. Emphasis is given to techniques by which pest and disease organisms are monitored and how this information is used to effectively manage pests with the least risk to the environment.

Course topics include:
• Identification and biology of citrus pests and diseases
• Pest and disease monitoring

• Ecological and economic principles as a basis for pest management
• Economic thresholds and management models
• Integrated pest management in citrus
• AND – Citrus IPM in the era of citrus greening

The 3-credit course is taught by experts in each area and is coordinated by Dr. Larry Duncan, University of Florida/IFAS professor of nematology. The course will be offered in person at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred on Wednesdays, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., from Aug. 23 through Dec. 6. Students may also attend on-line. CEU’s will be offered. Regular and non-degree registration is until 5 p.m. on Aug. 22, and students are strongly encouraged to register early.

Regular students must complete the registration procedures outline at one.uf.edu. The section number for students at the CREC, Lake Alfred site is 011C. Gainesville students will register for section ALAC, and other students must be registered by the Department of Entomology and Nematology. The course is EEP eligible for University of Florida employees.

Non-degree students must complete a non-degree application for this course at  admissions.ufl.edu/apply/non-degree. Please contact Elena Alyanaya ealyanaya@ufl.edu 352-273-3912, or Cam Jacques cjacques1@ufl.edu (352) 273-3913 to register for the course. Citrus industry employees are encouraged to inquire if their employer will cover the cost of the course

The cost of the course is $503.44 per credit hour. State tuition waivers are accepted. For additional information about the class contact Dr. Larry Duncan (863-956-8822; lwduncan@ufl.edu).