IPM News and Events Roundup 7/16/21
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment and funding opportunities and more from the NE IPM Center. If you have IPM-related research, events or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email me at nec2@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived here.
Saving Our Trees: Preventing Imported Forest Pests webinar now available for viewing.
Discover why our trees are in trouble, and what you can do to help. This event, moderated by science journalist Gabriel Popkin, features: Gary Lovett (forest ecologist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies), Susan Frankel (plant pathologist, USDA Pacific Southwest Research Station), and Faith Campbell (President, Center for Invasive Species Prevention).
The panel discussion explores the history of the imported forest pest problem, recent challenges, the economics of the issue, the role of horticulture and international shipping, and potential policy and management solutions.
JC Chong’s PestTalks blog this week also mentions Box Tree Moth, as well as IR-4’s Grower and Extension Survey. Help them out by taking it.
Pest Defense News Roundup – IPM in Schools
This newsletter is intended to inform and update school staff on topics related to Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is an approach for controlling pests focused on preventative methods, reduction of unnecessary pesticide use and is a community effort that requires all school staff involvement. Please read on to learn how you can improve school health for fellow staff members and students.
In this piece Gil Bloom cautions us as cities open back up with outdoor dining, to consider the pest friendly environment we're creating. Gil writes "IPM is by nature proactive and pest exclusion is one of the first measures. But in these pest positive environs sometimes we need to go a bit further and engage the enemy at the gates or even beyond."
Uptick in Anaplasmosis cases in NY
Anaplasmosis is a tickborne illness spread through the bite of a blacklegged tick infected with the bacteria Anaplasmosis phagocytophilum. This tickborne illness was previously considered rare in many regions of the Northeast, but this appears to be changing this year. Several counties across four major regions of New York State, have reported dramatic increases of anaplasmosis cases.
Time to Scout for Soybean Cyst nematode and other associated plant diseases
Soybean fields infested with soybean cyst nematode (SCN) may look healthy above ground, but adult SCN females can be detected on the roots of infected plants during the growing season, which may be contributing to the development of sudden death syndrome (SDS). The adult SCN females fill with eggs and eventually die, changing into hardened cysts that protect the eggs in the soil.
Invasive Species:
Spotted Lanternfly News:
Julie Urban featured on Science Friday: See A Spotted Lanternfly? Squash it!
Many states have a unified stance on what to do if you spy a spotted lanternfly—stomp them out. But is that an effective way to stop their spread? Joining Ira to chat about stomping techniques and lanternfly biology is Julie Urban, associate research professor in entomology at Penn State University, in State College, Pennsylvania.
Virginia Tech update from Doug Pfeiffer, Virginia Fruit Insect Update
We are at crucial stage of development for our population of spotted lanternfly, both in terms of range expansion and seasonal phenology. You may remember that at the end of last season, we had detected SLF at a commercial vineyard for the first time, in a vineyard north of Winchester (we had earlier detected it on a table grape planting in Winchester). This week we found fourth instar nymphs at two commercial vineyards southwest of Winchester. Dr. Johanna Elsensohn, a post doctoral researcher with USDA-ARS, found a single nymph on a vine. At both of these Frederick County vineyards we found nymphs on tree of heaven on both sides of the blocks – the vineyards are essentially surrounded!
Box Tree Moth – Major new pest threat to Boxwood
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responding to a significant plant health threat, and we are asking residents of New York (and Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennesee) to help.
Research:
Programmable design of seed coating function induces water-stress tolerance in semi-arid regions
Researchers at MIT have come up with a promising process for protecting seeds from the stress of water shortage during their crucial germination phase, and even providing the plants with extra nutrition at the same time. The process, undergoing continued tests in collaboration with researchers in Morocco, is simple and inexpensive, and could be widely deployed in arid regions, the researchers say. Article here.
The samurai wasp, Trissolcus japonicus relies on chemical traces “footprints” for close range host location. Research showed that the wasp prefers footprints of its main host, Halyomorpha halys, compared with those of the non-target predatory stink bug. Among other findings, wresearchers observed that the wasp eavesdrops on tridecane, a chemical compound associated with the aggregation pheromone of its main host, and seems to be repelled by a compound associated with stink bug defensive pheromone. If this agent can help reduce H. halys populations, this probably means that the use of broad-spectrum insecticides–that surged under H. halys outbreaks, are environmentally harmful, cause extensive non-target effects and are linked to global insect decline–would also be reduced.
Rodent traps are more effective when placed near attractive features such as warmth and shelter – and sometimes using fewer traps in total can help food manufacturers and pest managers better protect food supplies and save money, a new Cornell-led study has found. Article here.
Garments treated with chemical insecticides are commonly used to prevent mosquito bites. Resistance to insecticides, however, is threatening the efficacy of this technology, and people are increasingly concerned about the potential health impacts of wearing insecticide-treated clothing. Here, we report a mathematical model for fabric barriers that resist bites from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes based on textile physical structure and no insecticides. The model was derived from mosquito morphometrics and analysis of mosquito biting behavior. Woven filter fabrics, precision polypropylene plates, and knitted fabrics were used for model validation. Then, based on the model predictions, prototype knitted textiles and garments were developed that prevented mosquito biting, and comfort testing showed the garments to possess superior thermophysiological properties. Our fabrics provided a three-times greater bite resistance than the insecticide-treated cloth. Our predictive model can be used to develop additional textiles in the future for garments that are highly bite resistant to mosquitoes. Article here.
Webinars, Conferences, Meetings and more:
PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DISINFECTION SERVICES: HOW TO MANAGE GERMS SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY, July 28, 2pm ET
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for surface disinfection services. New businesses offering disinfection services emerged across the country and some companies expanded their existing practices to address the COVID-19 virus. However, training in infection control and appropriate disinfectant use was and is often lacking. The market has been flooded with many disinfection products, devices, and application equipment, some of which may not be effective or meet regulatory and safety requirements. This webinar will help you understand safe and effective products and practices to protect employees, clients and the public from germs and the chemicals used to control them. While this webinar will focus largely on the COVID-19 virus, many of the concepts presented may apply to managing some other pathogenic organisms.
Northern Nut Growers Association conference Aug 1-4, virtual
From August 1 through August 3, we will hear the pre-recorded presentations of Dr. Beresford-Kroeger and two dozen other speakers divided into six sessions: Trees and Earth Ecology; Chestnuts; Hazelnuts; Invasive Species and Other Threats; Other Favorite Nuts (butternuts, almonds, pecans, black walnut, English walnut); and the Business of Orchards,” said Jerry Henkin, NNGA Librarian and Historian from Yonkers, New York. “The presenters will be available after each session to answer questions and hear comments that participants pose. The contact information for each presenter will be displayed, so participants whose questions cannot be considered due to time constraints can contact the presenter directly.”
University of Vermont Extension Master Composter Program, Sept 10-Nov 12.
This training course offers an in-depth study of backyard composting. UVM Master Gardeners and others interested in home, school, and community composting who take this course will learn about the many different ways to turn food scraps and yard trimmings into compost for healthier, nutrient-rich soil.
NAISMA 2021 Annual Conference, Sept 27-30, Missoula MT, In person or virtual options
Early bird Registration ends July 31. An additional hotel block is available at the Doubletree Missoula, just 6 blocks away from the conference hotel with beautiful vistas of the Fork River. This property provides free parking and warm chocolate chip cookies at check in!
Ag and Farm Field Days:
VT: University of VT Extension Bridgeman View Farm Field Day, Aug 4 10-2:30 Franklin VT
PA: Penn State Ag Progress Days Aug 10-12, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA
NY: Empire Farm Days, Aug 3-5 Pompey, NY
Employment Opportunities:
Executive Director, Greensgrow, Philadelphia, PA
The Executive Director (ED) is a creative, highly skilled strategic thinker with a commitment to ecology and diversity who enjoys challenges and getting their hands dirty. The ideal ED will represent Greensgrow’s mission to the public, lead organizational development and strategic planning, optimize financial performance, design and oversee educational programming and demonstration, build donor and community relationships and oversee garden centers and staff. The Executive Director will also work closely with the Board of Directors to continue the mission of the organization while developing a clear vision that moves the organization forward in relevant and inspiring ways. Greensgrow has operated since 1997, providing an essential connection to food and nature in the urban communities of Philadelphia.