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They creep, crawl and even sprint across the ground hunting prey.\u00a0 San Diego is home to a surprising \u00a0variety of \u00a0spiders, including the Orb Weaver and Wolf spiders, Black Widows, Brown Recluse and even those hairy tarantulas!\u00a0 Most of us spot them and jump back, maybe even scream, but County Agricultural Scientist Tyler Tkachuk actually enjoys them. And we\u2019re not talking about the giant 10-foot plastic spiders adorning front yards during the Halloween season.<\/p>\n
His curiosity doesn\u2019t stop at spiders. Tyler brings live Madagascar hissing cockroaches to community events and lets them scurry about in his hands. You can imagine the reaction from school kids when those giant insects start moving.<\/p>\n
This fearless interest in all things crawly, jumpy or flying is essential when you work in an entomology lab<\/a>.\u00a0 While spiders themselves are not a crop concern to growers or nurseries, many other pests can devastate agriculture.\u00a0 Detecting and studying those harmful species is a top priority for County agricultural scientists. Their research, testing and documentation help protect area farmers, and our food supply.<\/p>\n You can play a part in \u00a0protecting San Diego County\u2019s agricultural environment. If you suspect \u00a0an invasive pest species, report it to CDFA Report a Pest<\/a>\u00a0Hotline\u00a01-800-491-1899\u00a0or send \u00a0photographs to Labs.AWM@sdcounty.ca.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n