


Much Ado About Nothing? End-of-Summer Defoliation Heats Up
While their damage may be unsightly, many common caterpillar species that emerge in late summer to munch on tree leaves are generally not a significant threat to tree health. A new guide in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management takes a closer look at these late-season defoliators and offers tips for management.

Here We Go Again: Meet the Elm Zigzag Sawfly, Another Non-Native Forest Pest
The elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda) is now established in several places in North America. This non-native forest pest can be a threat to elm species and hybrids and is capable of large defoliation events. Will it turn into a full-blown invasive species, or simply co-exist with native herbivores in natural and urban forests? At this point, we don't know. A new review highlights elm zigzag sawfly biology, ecology, and management strategies in the U.S.

U.S. Quinoa Crops Threatened by Little-Known Fly Pest
Quinoa's emergence as an attractive, climate-resilient crop in the U.S. has been met with a fresh challenge from a stem-boring fly species, Amauromyza karli, previously known in Canada. While research is scant on this new pest, a new profile in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management outlines what we know—and what we need to find out—about reducing its impact on quinoa.

What’s in a Nest: Scavenger Turns Major Pest in Chicken Houses
Lesser mealworm beetles (Alphitobius diaperinus) evolved to live in bird nests, and in broiler chicken houses their populations explode. A new pest profile in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management outlines why lesser mealworms are exceptionally challenging to manage in chicken houses and identifies key research needs for future progress.