Day 1 of Invasive Insect Certification Program for Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forest Pests: The Impacts and Costs of Invasive Insects
This three-day program 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, cynipid oak gall wasp, emerald ash borer, gypsy moth, hemlock woolly adelgid, winter moth, and more; state and federal regulations pertaining to invasive insect management as well as invasive forest and agricultural insects in Massachusetts; warnings about potential newcomers; management of invasive insects in the landscape; and strategies to prevent human assisted movement of these organisms. Integrated Pest Management 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 three sections and a passing score on associated online quizzes following each class. Participants not interested in a certificate may also attend all three days, or individually, without taking the associated quizzes. Attendees are encouraged to take all three sessions in one season to get the most out of the information.