Regulatory Entomology: Managing Apple Maggot & Other Invasives — by Mike Bush

You've seen those highway signs forbidding you to transport homegrown fruit. What's the backstory behind that? This month's program will tell you all you ever wanted to know!

In our ever-growing economy based on global marketing (amidst global warming), the opportunities for invasive pests to expand their distribution are on the rise. Globally, the tephritid flies are among the leading invasive pests, as they often develop in seed-bearing organs of plants, for example the Mediterranean fruit fly and the Oriental fruit fly. The PNW has its share of tephritid flies including apple maggot, cherry fruit fly, walnut husk fly and a slew of other native species. Drawing from his experience as an entomologist; Washington State University Extension Agent; and County Horticultural Pest Board and WA State Department of Agriculture Pest Program Coordinator, Dr. Bush will describe strategies used to suppress these pestiferous life forms, focusing especially on the apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella.

Michael R. Bush, Ph.D. served for many years at Union Gap, Washington as a WSU Extension educator in entomology, and WSU Associate Professor. He (fairly) recently moved to a state level entomology job in the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

This meetup will be held as a Zoom meeting. For security reasons, the meeting ID is only available to people who RSVP here, receive the Scarabogram in the mail, or contact the host directly. RSVP or email by the morning of the meeting, please! Last-minute additions are likely to be missed. WARNING: This month's program has a unique Zoom link. The same link you've been using for past meetings WILL NOT WORK THIS TIME!