Released November 16, 2011
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - With its bright blue back and rust-colored chest, it’s easy to see why the western bluebird is a frequent birder’s favorite. Soon viticulturists may number among its fans as well.
According to the research Dr. Julie Jedlicka conducted as part of her doctoral thesis at UC–Santa Cruz, the western bluebird may serve as a natural alternative to insecticides to manage some of the pests that invade California’s vineyards. Jedlicka found that placing nesting boxes on vineyard plots lures in populations of the entirely insectivorous bird, which in turn can fend off insect-borne blights such as the deadly Pierce’s disease.
--continued on SantaCruz.com, http://www.santacruz.com/news/2011/11/16/ucsc_grad_finds_bluebirdwine_co...
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Western Bluebird is Making Friends in the Wine World
Last Updated: January 02, 2012
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