My Educational Programs / Sessions @ Cultivate

Box Tree Moth (BTM): Status Update from Western New York
Tuesday, July 18 • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

The triple threat of box tree moth (BTM) on revenue for boxwood producers, on the viability of historic boxwood plantings, and on the health of boxwoods in landscapes throughout the United States makes this pest high-consequence. Over the past two years, a research team has been gathering data on this insect pest in its new invasive range for the US. Adult trapping and larva scouting data were collected to understand BTM phenology during a growing season. The team also catalogued the presence of beneficial insects naturally occurring in parallel with this invasive. Join this session to learn more about BTM, its phenology, potential beneficial insect controls, and the potential use of a growing degree day model to forecast this pest.

                



    Alejandro Del-Pozo, Assistant Professor of Entomology at Virginia Tech  
    Alejandro Del-Pozo is assistant professor in the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology. Del-Pozo is an applied insect ecologist, leading the efforts to implement pest management solutions for the turfgrass and ornamental stakeholders across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alejandro is interested in research that widens the toolbox for integrated pest-management programs, exploring remote pest monitoring, and using biological control as components of pest management for environmental horticulture. Del-Pozo earned his bachelor of science from La Molina National Agrarian University in agronomy, his master of science from Washington State University in entomology, and his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in entomology.



    Virginia Tech - Agricultural Research and Extension Centers.  
    The Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station performs research on food and fiber systems, on their impact on the environment, and relating to the future needs of Virginia, the nation, and the world. VAES has faculty members at 11 agricultural research and Extension centers and throughout the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech.



    The sites, totaling almost 4,300 acres, represent the commonwealth’s diversity and take advantage of the unique characteristics and challenges found in each location. AREC faculty and staff members and faculty from the main campus deliver research and Extension programs at these sites. The ARECs serve not only as key field research sites, but also as field laboratories for undergraduate and graduate students and field day program sites for producers, school groups, and other citizens.

    Address:     1444 Diamond Sprinngs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455
    Email:    jim.owen@vt.edu
    Contact:   James Owen, PhD
    Phone:    (757) 363-3904   FAX:  (757) 363-3950

                 



               

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