Management of Invasive Forest and Landscape Insect Pests, continued: Day 6 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
Management of Invasive Forest and Landscape Insect Pests, continued (DAY 6)

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

9:45 AM   Invasive Insects as Pests of Managed Landscapes

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

Identification, life cycles, host plants, damage, and effective management of invasive insect pests of landscapes, such as: viburnum leaf beetle, elongate hemlock scale, box tree moth, and elm zigzag sawfly, time permitting. 

10:45 AM  Break

11:00 AM  Reduced Risk Strategies for Managing Landscape and Nursery Insect Pests

Daniel Gilrein, Extension Entomologist, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County  

This presentation will discuss important nursery pest insects and current reduced risk strategies to manage them, including organic and other unconventional alternatives. Invasive insects will be the focus, although some problematic native species may be highlighted as well. 

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.