This program was recorded on June 15th, 2021.
Tamarack or eastern larch is a common tree across our northern bogs in Minnesota. Historically, the species has been resilient to most insects. Yet, for the past twenty years, a continuous outbreak of tree-killing eastern larch beetles has been decimating this resource. Dr. Aukema will share stories of how we unexpectedly discovered that this insect – and others – are taking advantage of a changing climate to create unprecedented new challenges in natural resource management.
About the presenter: Brian Aukema likes trees, and spends most of his time trying to figure out why insects are eating them. Brian is a faculty member in the Department of Entomology at the University of Minnesota, where he oversees the Forest Insect Ecology laboratory. He and his students work on a variety of forest insect challenges of consequence to the state and region, many of which are impacted by facets of global change such as climate change and invasive species. Current projects involve the eastern larch beetle, emerald ash borer, larch casebearer, spruce budworm, velvet longhorned beetle, acorn weevils, and mountain pine beetle.
This event is co-sponsored by: Resilient Roseville, the League of Women Voters Roseville Area, Do-Good-Roseville, and the North Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.
