Season 1 Episode 23: The Perennial Challenge of Invasives, a Conversation with Dr. Victoria Smith, State Entomologist of Connecticut Artwork

Keeping It Green

Our landscapes have many functions; they add beauty to our surroundings, provide a place to recreate, reduce stress, and clean and cool the surrounding environment. They also provide pollen and nectar for pollinators and provide habitat for birds. Keeping It Green is a weekly podcast in which Penn State extension educators talk with ornamental plant professionals and enthusiasts who add beauty and function to our landscapes. Topics will range from design, installation and maintenance, plant selection, pests, and other current horticulture topics.

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Keeping It Green

Season 1 Episode 23: The Perennial Challenge of Invasives, a Conversation with Dr. Victoria Smith, State Entomologist of Connecticut

June 13, 2023 • Penn State Extension • Season 1 • Episode 23

The team ventures into the regulatory landscape of the horticulture industry with a conversation with Dr. Victoria Smith, the State Entomologist of Connecticut. One of the main roles of Vicky’s position is to address the perennial challenge of invasives. Why are some organisms tough to contain (emerald ash borer, spongy moth, etc.) and others, such as the Asian long-horned beetle, a regulatory success? One of the bread-and-butter plants for landscapes is boxwoods. Vicky talks about the devastation of boxwood blight to their nursery industry and how they recovered and emerged stronger on the other side. Plus, what insect keeps her and other regulatory officials up at night?

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