SciCafe: Invasive Insects and Their Impact on Agriculture

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

7 pm

A close-up photograph of a spotted lanternfly perched on a tree. Its body is entirely black, save for purple wings with dramatic black dots.
Brian Henderson/Flickr
 

Invasive species like the spotted lanternfly, brown marmorated stink bug, and emerald ash borer are altering ecosystems, threatening crops, and challenging farmers locally and worldwide. 

Join us for this SciCafe with Anne Nielsen, Extension Specialist in the Department of Entomology at Rutgers University, as she explores the surprising and complex role invasive insects play in agriculture. Nielsen will discuss her research on how these insects spread, adapt, and impact food systems, and the strategies scientists are developing to mitigate their effects. 

Resources for SciCafe’s Frequent Geeks  

Quick Pick: Rutgers entomologist seeks environmentally friendly ways to thwart crop damage

Big Bite: Invasive Insects: The Top 4 “Most Wanted” List

Deep Dive: Impact of the Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in North America and Europe: History, Biology, Ecology, and Management