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Spotted Lanternfly Risk Management Education for Grape Growers in the Northeast

Claudia Schmidt, Michela Centinari, and Cain Hickey

Summary

This presentation highlights key findings from the recently completed NERME project, "Spotted Lanternfly Risk Management Education for Grape Growers in the Northeast". The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive sap-feeding pest that was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014 and is now spreading across the United States, threatening grape production. We held webinars and producer workshops to educate growers about risk management tools. A crucial element was grape growers in southeast Pennsylvania sharing their experiences and strategies with those in areas not yet affected by SLF. This peer-to-peer learning provided firsthand knowledge, improving the readiness of growers who might soon face similar challenges. The project also introduced two new educational and outreach tools to address this threat. The first is a survey created using ArcGIS, which helped monitor SLF activity throughout the growing season. This survey provided real-time data, allowing growers to remain informed about SLF occurrences and manage their vineyards more effectively. The second tool is the "SLF Knowledge" quiz, designed to assess and enhance growers' understanding of SLF management strategies.

Details

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