The Impacts and Costs of Invasive Insects: Day 1 of Invasive Insect Certification Program for Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forest Pests

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.

Download printable agenda for the complete 2023 Invasive Insect Certification Program

AGENDA
The Impacts and Costs of Invasive Insects (DAY 1)

9:30 AM   Introductions and explanations of quizzes, certificates, and pesticide and association credits. 

9:45 AM    Characteristics of Invasive Insects and How They Get Here

Tawny Simisky, UMass Extension Entomologist, Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Program

A brief discussion of what characteristics enable insects to be invasive, general ways in which insects get introduced to new places, a short review of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and prioritizing that strategy for the management of insect pests. 

10:45 AM  Break

11:00 AM  The Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine Regulatory and Survey Programs with a Focus on the Federal Regulations Pertinent to Invasive Insects in Southern New England

Kate Aitkenhead, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

This will be a discussion describing the PPQ programs and the agencies involved in the cooperative pest detection and eradication efforts currently in southern New England. Participants will be introduced to their State Plant Health Director and who to notify if you believe you have found an invasive insect

12:00 PM  Closing remarks, credit explanations, quiz reminders/instructions for the quiz assessments for those attending all 6-days of the training and seeking a certificate of completion, and instructions for pesticide CEU’s and association credits.