UMass Extension’s Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program and UMass Extension’s Fruit Program will hold a series of morning webinars focusing on the impact, monitoring, and management of invasive insects in Massachusetts on February 16th – 18th.
February 17th
9 – 10:15 am: Research Updates on Emerald Ash Borer Biocontrol — Dr. Joseph Elkinton, Professor of Entomology, UMass
This presentation will discuss updates from the Elkinton Lab at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and their cooperators who are monitoring the establishment and impact of non-stinging parasitoid wasps for the biological control of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis – EAB).
Exciting new data suggests that one such parasitoid (Spathius galinae) is having a real impact and reducing EAB larval densities in the field. Join to learn more from Dr. Elkinton!
10:30 – 11:45 am: Murdering the Hornets – Eradication Actions in Washington State to Prevent the Establishment of Vespa mandarinia — Dr. Chris Looney, Washington State Department of Agriculture
Multiple North American detections of Vespa mandarinia, the world’s largest hornet species, has led to a multi-year survey and eradication program in Washington State and adjacent British Columbia. A combination of grocery-store items, high-tech equipment, and a massively engaged public has been deployed in the region with measureable success. This talk will outline our approach and why we feel cautiously optimistic – at least until next summer.
Click here to register for this live webinar.