Invasive Insect Certification Program

Asian Longhorned Beetle specimens

This six-day webinar series looks at the characteristics of invasive insects, the impacts and costs they have regionally and nationwide, and highlights the biology, ecology, and identification of some of the most destructive insects. This includes (but is not limited to) the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, Lymantria dispar (formerly gypsy moth), hemlock woolly adelgid, winter moth, and more. State and federal regulations pertaining to invasive insect management will be discussed, as well as invasive forest and agricultural insects in Massachusetts along with warnings about potential newcomers. Management of invasive insects as a part of landscapes will be presented along with strategies to prevent human assisted movement of these organisms. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) will be the focus, highlighting cultural and mechanical management options along with the use of biological control.

Participants may receive a certificate in INVASIVE INSECT MANAGEMENT upon the successful completion of all six webinars (must attend in each webinar in full and answer intermittent poll questions during each) and earn a passing score on associated online quizzes following each class. Participants not interested in a certificate may also attend all the webinars, or individually, without taking the associated quizzes. Attendees are encouraged to take all six sessions in one season to get the most out of the information.

This certification series is only offered every other year - the next opportunity will be the fall of 2025. Registration will open spring 2025.

As an example, the 2023 sessions were:

  • Day 1: Wednesday, September 27, 2023: The Impacts and Costs of Invasive Insects: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
    Two pesticide contact hours for categories 29, 35, 36, 48 and Applicators License available.
  • Day 2: Thursday, September 28, 2023: The Impacts and Costs of Invasive Insects, continued: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
    Two pesticide contact hours for categories 29, 35, 36, 48 and Applicators License available
  • Day 3: Tuesday, October 10, 2023: Invasive Forest and Agricultural Insects in Massachusetts: Current and Future: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
    Two pesticide contact hours for categories 29, 35, 36, 48 and Applicators License available.
  • Day 4: Wednesday, October 11, 2023: Invasive Forest and Agricultural Insects in Massachusetts, continued: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
    Two pesticide contact hours for categories 29, 35, 36, 48 and Applicators License available.
  • Day 5: Wednesday, October 25, 2023: Management of Invasive Forest and Landscape Insect Pests: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
    Two pesticide contact hours for categories 29, 35, 36, 48 and Applicators License available.
  • Day 6: Thursday, October 26, 2023: Management of Invasive Forest and Landscape Insect Pests, continued:  9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
    Two pesticide contact hours for categories 29, 35, 36, 48 and Applicators License available.

To register for this year's sessions, go to our Events calendar.

For additional information, contact the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program at (413) 545-0895 or weeks@umass.edu.