Bio-control of Lily Leaf Beetles 

The Lily Leaf Beetle (LLB) is largely under control in our area thanks to the efforts of researchers at URI, including presenter, Dr. Richard Casagrande. Dr. Casagrande will discuss the lily leaf beetle project and its connection to early research at The Gardens at Elm Bank and abroad. He will also review biological control programs underway in this region to find biological controls of invasive insects and plants that are important in Southern New England.

Attendees are encouraged to bring with them as many LLB larvae as they can find in their gardens. Put larvae and a few leaves in a jar or zip-lock bag along with a name and address. We will examine these larvae for parasitism and hopefully, collect parasitoids to share with points in Western Mass. 

Richard Casagrande, Emeritus Professor of Entomology, joined the University of Rhode Island faculty in 1976. He taught courses in biological control, integrated pest management, insects and society and gave innumerable lectures to Master Gardeners and landscape practitioners throughout the region.  In retirement, he continues to work with colleagues at URI and throughout the world on biological control of invasive insects and plants that are important in Southern New England. Past and current projects include the lily leaf beetle, hemlock woolly adelgid, birch leafminer, Cypress spurge, purple loosestrife, black swallow-wort and common reed. 

$12/member
$20/general admission