Protecting Vineyards: History of Preventing Exotic Pest establishment and the threat of Spotted Lanternfly

The winegrape industry faces many challenges with the threat of exotic pests and their ability to move within the global supply chain.  In this seminar, experts will take us through what we’ve learned from the establishment of the Vine Mealybug and highlight the success story on the eradication of the European Grapevine Moth. We will then take a deep dive on our next biggest threat, the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF). Dr. Urban of Penn St. will talk about the current impacts that SLF is having on winegrapes on the east coast and their various control successes and challenges. Finally, Dr. McRoberts will present modeling research highlighting SLF’s potential arrival timing and method of travel/spread.

This seminar will give attendees the most recent information on SLF biology, the various host plant species, strategies for control, and hopefully stimulate action to prevent SLF from getting established on the west coast.