Thursday, October 29, 2026 · 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM
Makerspace — 35 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA
The signs and symptoms of invasive pests are often right in front of our eyes but go unnoticed until it is too late. These species impact a wide range of forest and garden plants in New England, from roses to birches, basil to grapes. Knowing how to spot the signs early and what the available management options are can help reduce their impact and spread. This talk will cover jumping worm, spotted lanternfly, box tree moth, beech leaf disease, and Asian longhorned beetle, and will discuss how these pests affect plants, how to spot them, and what to do if you see one. Speaker: Dr. Elizabeth Barnes is the Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and previously worked as the Exotic Forest Pest Educator at Purdue University. She received her Doctorate in plant-insect interactions from the University of Denver, where she studied tent caterpillars and fall webworms. In her spare time, Elizabeth is an avid caterpillar watcher and is always happy to answer questions about all things insect related. This event is offered in collaboration with the Grafton Garden Club.