"Quantifying the threat posed by and developing sustainable solutions for invasive spotted lanternfly"

On Wednesday January 10, 2024, at 7:00 PM ET, Dr. Tracy Leskey will present "Quantifying the threat posed by and developing sustainable solutions for invasive spotted lanternfly" at the National Conservation Training Center, Byrd Auditorium, 698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV. Dr. Leskey will present the spotted lanternfly life history and invasion patterns, current research on the host plants that are at risk to injury (wine grapes) and those likely not to be impacted, how scientists monitor for their presence (traps and eDNA), and some sustainable solutions for their management (biological control, entomopathogenic fungi).  

Tracy Leskey holds a PhD in Entomology from the University of Massachusetts, a MS in Ecology from the Pennsylvania State University, and a BS from Wilson College. Dr. Leskey has been employed by the USDA-ARS, Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville for over 20 years where she serves as Station Director and Research Entomologist. Her research has focused on development of behaviorally-based management tools for invasive and persistent native pests of fruit crops. She has published over 180 peer-reviewed journal articles and several patents. Dr. Leskey has been interviewed by the New York Times, Washington Post and NPR on numerous occasions and appeared live on Fox News and C-SPAN and have done several stories with National Geographic. She has served on the Governing Board of the Entomological Society of America and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Wilson College.  

This program will be recorded and broadcast online –- Thursday January 18, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET at: https://livestream.com/nctc.