The ISC participated in a special session at #PlantHealth2026 that focused on forest health. The session demonstrated how cross-disciplinary groups strengthen our ability to detect, respond to, & manage forest health challenges through shared expertise and coordinated research 🌳🌲

From invasive ants and termites to mosquitoes and other urban pests, new findings highlight how human activity can create pathways for species movement, adaptation, and persistence 🌎 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

There's good news in the fight against invasive species! Thanks to a coordinated statewide effort, about one-third of Minnesota's documented invasive phragmites populations are no longer detectable. Read more from MAISRC researchers: www.startribune.com/this-invasiv... #invasivespecies

This invasive reed is spreading. Minnesota still has a chance to stop it.

A statewide effort is targeting invasive phragmites while infestations remain small enough to eliminate, giving Minnesota an opportunity few states still have.

startribune.com

The ISC's quarterly newsletter is out! Each edition shares important announcements, opportunities, events, and the latest research from #VirginiaTech. Summer newsletter ➡️ mailchi.mp/f46d83f33043...

How can scientists build trust with the public? A new study from Virginia Tech suggests that credibility isn't just about expertise - it's also about whether people believe scientists are motivated by the public good. news.vt.edu/articles/202...

Scientists’ credibility depends on audience and perceived motives

A new study identifies five audience "classes" based on people's perceptions of scientists’ credibility.

news.vt.edu

Undergrad researchers at #VirginiaTech recently conducted research to understand seed-dispersal networks of common fleshy-fruiting native and invasive plants in Virginia ... What do native wildlife prefer? 🫐🍒🍃 news.vt.edu/articles/202...

Undergraduate research in action: Liam Jawish

Undergraduate wildlife conservation student gains hands-on research experience studying how animals spread invasive plants, preparing for a career in conservation science.

news.vt.edu

The ISC had a great time at the VT College of Science Summer Camp! High school students rotated through stations on #invasivespecies: 👂 bioacoustics 🦞 crayfish (native vs invasive) 🌲 hemlock woolly adelgid & biocontrols 🍇 spotted lanternfly in VA 🦗 VT insect ID lab

Researchers at #VirginiaTech are studying how beech bark disease (an invasive pest and pathogen) has affected an endangered salamander in southwestern Virginia 🦎 www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMhq...

Studying life at nearly a mile high

YouTube video by College of Natural Resources and Environment

youtube.com

Congratulations to Dr. Scott Salom on receiving the L. O. Howard Distinguished Achievement Award from the Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America! A well-deserved honor recognizing major contributions to entomology 👏🌲

New research by ISC Affiliates shows drones can effectively deliver pheromone treatments to slow the spread of spongy moth - matching the performance of conventional aircraft while offering greater flexibility for hard-to-reach forests. 🌲🚁 Article 🔗 www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/17...

Can a fungal pathogen help manage one of North America's most problematic invasive trees? 🌳 A new study by ISC Affiliates examined the effectiveness of Verticillium nonalfalfae as a biological control agent for Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven). 🔗 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Warm temperatures inhibit disease progression of Verticillium nonalfalfae in Ailanthus altissima, regardless of virulence

An isolate of the fungal pathogen Verticillium nonalfalfae sourced from infected Ailanthus altissima in Pennsylvania, USA (VnAa140) has demonstrated some variable efficacy as a bioherbicide, even t...

tandfonline.com

Very cool research from ISC Affiliates - congratulations on the publication and findings! 🦟🍯 academic.oup.com/jme/article-...

Spotted lanternfly honeydew as a sugar source for mosquitoes

Abstract. Spotted lanternflies and mosquitoes are among the most concerning invasive insects, which have introduced a myriad of public health, social, econ

academic.oup.com

Oak wilt research is underway in Texas! 🌳🍃 ISC members are collaborating with Jordan Thompson, a former ISC member and owner of JJ Mauget Co. to evaluate the effectiveness of Mauget fungicide treatments and injection technologies in managing oak wilt in live oaks.

PlayCleanGo® Awareness Week is happening now! The campaign encourages people to take simple actions that help prevent invasive species from spreading between trails, parks, waterways, forests, and other natural areas 🌄 Learn more & get involved here 🔗 playcleango.org/take-action/...

PlayCleanGo Awareness Week - PlayCleanGo

Participate in events across the nation. Create positive outcomes in habitats.

playcleango.org

Congratulations to ISC Affiliates (Dr. Alejandro Del Pozo, Dr. Haldre Rogers, and Dr. Joel McGlothlin) for recent promotions! ✨ news.vt.edu/articles/202...

Board of Visitors approves 2026 promotions, tenure, and continued appointments

The board approved the following promotions, tenure, and continued appointments.

news.vt.edu

The 3rd Annual International Invasive Species and Climate Change Conference is taking place virtually on December 1–2, 2026 🌎🔥🌿 Submit your abstract here: bit.ly/4a2Z9Z9

IISCCC 2026 - Call for Presentation Proposals -- Due June 29

We invite managers, practitioners, and researchers to contribute talks to the 3rd International Invasive Species and Climate Change Conference (IISCCC) (December 1 & 2, 2026, 1–5pm EST, online). We a...

bit.ly

Running bamboo is a fast-growing, #invasive grass with a complex underground root system called rhizomes that can spread aggressively - up to 15 feet per year! Learn more about how Fairfax County, VA is working to prevent its spread: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfTK...

Running Bamboo: Avoid the fine, don’t let running bamboo grow beyond your property line.

YouTube video by Fairfax County Government

youtube.com

A series of new laws set to hit the books this summer seeks to rein in #invasive plant species in #Virginia! 🌱🌳 www.vpm.org/generalassem...

Virginia closes loophole in invasive plant law

Some plants may start disappearing from nurseries in coming years.

vpm.org

With summer around the corner, spotted lanternflies' eggs are about to hatch across several states. Experts say these bugs are sucking the life out of plants, including grapevines in Northern VA 🍇 www.youtube.com/watch?v=geGc... #LoudounInvasiveRemovalAlliance #ScrapeForTheGrape

🥳 It’s Graduation Season 🥳 Congratulations to several ISC Affiliates for graduating this spring! We’re excited to see what’s next for each of them and wish them all the best. Go Hokies! www.linkedin.com/posts/its-gr...

🥳 It’s Graduation Season 🥳 Congratulations to the following ISC Affiliates on officially graduating this spring! We’re excited to see what’s next for each of them and wish them all the best. Go… | In...

🥳 It’s Graduation Season 🥳 Congratulations to the following ISC Affiliates on officially graduating this spring! We’re excited to see what’s next for each of them and wish them all the best. Go Hokie...

linkedin.com

The Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program recently visited the Forest Health Lab at #VirginiaTech. Dr. Carrie Fearer and the lab team shared how biological controls can be safely used to manage invasive species, such as autumn olive 🌿 🔗 shorturl.at/WtTC9

Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: Biological Controls for Biological Invasions

YouTube video by Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program

youtube.com

Virginia landowners, check out this great cost-share program for treating emerald ash borer (administered by the Virginia Department of Forestry): dof.virginia.gov/forest-manag... Applications are being accepted April 20th thru June 18th, 2026 🌳

Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Cost-Share Program

Treating ash trees for this destructive non-native insect increases the chance of preserving genetic material of ash trees throughout the state. The Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Cost-Share Program can ...

dof.virginia.gov

A new study co-produced by ISC Affiliate Beth Nyboer highlights the value of traditional ecological knowledge among fishers in African Great Lakes 🐟🌿 Feat. invasive Nile perch and water hyacinth 🔗 shorturl.at/NW6PD

Congratulations to ISC Director, Dr. Jacob Barney, for receiving Virginia Tech's prestigious Frontier Award! Dr. Barney studies the causes, impacts, spread, and management of #invasive plant species. Read the full article here 🔗 news.vt.edu/articles/202...

The Natural Areas Association recently hosted Dr. Scott Salom (ISC Affiliate) for a presentation on the research and management of the #invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) 🌲 Watch the full webinar 🔗 www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuI1...

The ISC had a great time hosting Dr. Deah Lieurance and Dr. David Schmale for our fourth webinar of the year. Deah and David welcomed over sixty participants and shared valuable insights on: invasion pathways, horizon scanning, agricultural biosecurity, & real-world applications! 🚢🌏

Students from Southwest Virginia learned about #invasive species and their far-ranging impacts at "Hokie for a Day". Thank you to the Center for Educational Networks and Impacts (Virginia Tech Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology) for hosting such an engaging event! 🐛🪳

Developed in part by ISC Affiliates, this guide brings together genetics, genomics, and urban ecology to better understand life in cities. It has applications for conservation, pest control, and managing #invasivespecies 🏙️🐦🌳 🔗 shorturl.at/FGmWz

A Beginner's How‐To Guide to Urban Population Genetics and Genomics

This guide provides practical methodologies for studying how urbanization drives evolutionary and ecological changes in species through population genetics and genomics, covering genetic markers, ana...

shorturl.at

VT's College of Natural Resources & Environment recently hosted its annual Spring Awards Celebration, honoring exceptional accomplishments by students, faculty, staff, and alumni 🏆 Several ISC Affiliates were recognized! Learn more here: news.vt.edu/articles/202...

College of Natural Resources and Environment presents alumni, student, faculty, and staff awards

CNRE gave out its annual awards on March 23

news.vt.edu

Learn more about Joro spiders with Pat Wooden - Insect ID Lab Manager at #VirginiaTech and ISC Affiliate! 🕸️ 🔗 www.latimes.com/california/s...

Large spiders the size of your palm are popping up across the U.S. Here's why you shouldn't be afraid

Joro spiders have been spotted across the U.S., including in California, having ventured to the country via shipping containers from East Asia.

latimes.com