The Mediterranean fruit fly infestation in Dixon, thrips control in California greenhouses, and the endangered valley elderberry longhorn beetle will be among the topics when the UC Davis-based Northern California Entomology Club meets Thursday, Nov. 1, in Concord.

The professional organization, comprised of university faculty, researchers, pest control specialists and students, will meet from 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District office, 155 Mason Circle.

The meeting is open to any one interested in entomology, said club president and mosquito researcher Debbie Dritz of the UC Davis Department of Entomology.

The agenda includes:

9:15 a.m.: Registration and coffee

9:30 a.m.: “Consider the Endangered Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle when Conducting Pest Control,” Theresa Talley, Environment Science, University of San Francisco

10:15 a.m.: “Using Diorhabda elongata as a Biological Control Agent for Invasive Tamarisk,” Hillary Thomas, doctoral candidate, UC Davis Department of Entomology

11 a.m.: “Mediterranean Fruit Fly Infestation and Control in Dixon,” Jerry Howard, Solano County Agricultural Commissioner

11:45 a.m.: Business session

Noon: Catered lunch by Kinder’s Custom Meats, Concord (Barbecued marinated ball tip and chicken quarters with barbecue beans; tossed green, potato, and fruit salad, with cookie and assorted soft drinks for $15)

1:15 p.m.: "Controlling Thrips in the Greenhouse," Cheryle O’Donnell, thrips researcher, UC Davis Department of Entomology

2 p.m.: "The Drain to Nowhere: Influence of Microclimate, Microhabitat, and Microeconomics on West Nile Virus Distribution," Steve Shutz, Contra Costa County Mosquito and Vector Control District

Further information on the meeting or the association is available from Dritz at (530) 754-9448 or dadritz@ucdavis.edu or from honey bee specialist Eric Mussen, Extension apiculturist at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, UC Davis Department of Entomology, at (530) 752-0472 or ecmussen@ucdavis.edu.

The group meets the first Thursday of February, May and November. The February meeting is at the Hungry Hunter, Fairfield; the May meeting at Sudwerk, Davis, and the November meeting at the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District office, Concord. Membership dues are $10 year.

(See Web site at http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/news/ncentomologynov07.html)