1) SUMMARY

Horned larks can cause significant damage to seedling sugarbeet fields throughout the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys when planted in the fall or early winter.  These birds work down the row uprooting seedlings, the damage being roughly proportional to the area on which they feed.  Replanting is often needed where they have been feeding.  The problem shows up in variable locations and times but is usually a problem in at least some fields every year.  Fall planting is common in Kern County, Tulare County, and western Fresno and Merced Counties.  Overall the percentage of fields affected may be small, but for those fields that do become a target, the damage can be substantial.  Sugarbeets are also planted in late summer/early fall in the Imperial Valley, and although there have been occasions where horned larks have caused damage, it has been very rare, and damage has been relatively insignificant.

 2) CURRENT PEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Current methods used to control horned larks include the use of aluminum ribbon strips, Zon® guns, or whistles, or employees who haze and scare the birds.  Apparently no research has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of these methods, but they have been described as marginally successful.

 3) REDUCED-RISK OPTIONS

Currently, no pesticides are registered for controlling these birds, so risk from pesticides is low.

 4) CHALLENGES

  No information available.

 5) INNOVATIVE FEATURES IN REDUCED-RISK PROGRAM

  No information is available.

 6) BARRIERS TO ADOPTION OF REDUCED-RISK METHODS

No information is available.