UMass Extension’s Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program and UMass Extension’s Fruit Program will hold a series of three Invasive Insect webinars this winter focusing on the impact, monitoring, and management of invasive insects in Massachusetts on January 25th, February 8th and February 22nd
The February 22nd webinar will include these presentations
9 am – Beech Leaf Disease: and the Newly Described Nematode That Causes It — Dr. Robert Marra, Associate Agricultural Scientist, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
While not an insect, this presentation will discuss what is currently known about the biology of the foliar nematode (Litylenchus crenatae, subspecies mccannii) causing beech leaf disease (BLD).
This disease, which impacts both American and European beech, was first observed in Ohio in 2012, though the nematode was not confirmed as the cause until 2019. First detected in MA in 2020, BLD is now found as far south as VA and north to ME.
Common misconceptions and the latest science to be discussed. Studies looking for effective management techniques are underway and will be briefly summarized.
10:30 am – Invasive Forest Insects in Massachusetts — Nicole Keleher, Director, MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Forest Health Program
This presentation will discuss the current status of invasive insects in our forests. We will discuss what we saw in 2022, what to expect in 2023, and some of the projects the DCR Forest Health Program has been focusing on. Learn how to identify common forest pests and what steps you can take to protect our trees.
Click here to register for and join this webinar on Feb. 22(link is external) (webinar ID: 161-413-083).