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The Potomac Valley Audubon Society welcomes Tracy Leskey, Research Leader/Station Director and Research Entomologist with the USDA Appalachian Fruit Research Station.
LOCATION: National Conservation Training Center, Byrd Auditorium, 698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV.
SCHEDULE
- 6:30 PM: Social time with light refreshments. In order to reduce waste, we are asking that people bring their own mugs.
- 7:00 PM: Presentation begins!
- 8:00 PM: Approximate end of the program – though it may last longer depending on questions and discussion!
PVMN Continuing Education Eligible
This program is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend.
Please note that this event is in-person only (no virtual attendance option). However, this program will be recorded and broadcast online: January 18, 2024 at 2 p.m. ET at https://livestream.com/nctc.
About the Presentation-Dr. Leskey will present the spotted lanternfly life history and invasion patterns, current research on the host plants that are at risk to injury (wine grapes) and those likely not to be impacted, how scientists monitor for their presence (traps and eDNA), and some sustainable solutions for their management (biological control, entomopathogenic fungi).
About the Presenter – Tracy Leskey holds a PhD in Entomology from the University of Massachusetts, a MS in Ecology from the Pennsylvania State University, and a BS from Wilson College. Dr. Leskey has been employed by the USDA-ARS, Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville for over 20 years where she serves as Station Director and Research Entomologist. Her research has focused on development of behaviorally-based management tools for invasive and persistent native pests of fruit crops. She has published over 180 peer-reviewed journal articles and several patents. Dr. Leskey has been interviewed by the New York Times, Washington Post and NPR on numerous occasions and appeared live on Fox News and C-SPAN and have done several stories with National Geographic. She has served on the Governing Board of the Entomological Society of America and currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Wilson College.
