Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** we are developing new and…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** we are developing new and sustainable IPM strategies for a regionl invasive and emergent insect problem, the oystershell scale (OSS; lepidosaphes ulmi), which negatively affects aspen (populus tremuloides) in the interior west. Aspen is a wide-ranging tree species in north america and is highly valued for ecosystem services. Rapid climate change has likely contributed to the emergence of OSS, which now threatens aspen sustainability in the southwest and intermountain west. We will conduct research to develop IPM through these objectives: 1) describe the influence of temperature on OSS life cycle timing, voltinism, and survival across an elevational gradient at two latitudes; 2) evaluate the efficacy of silvicultural and insecticides interventions in reducing OSS populations and aspen decline and document potential non-target insecticide effects; 3) assess OSS outbreaks, including aspen mortality rates, and OSS infestation and severity patterns across a latitudinal gradient; 4) developand deliver extension and outreach materials for land managers and the public. To meet our objectives, we will use both experimental and field sampling strategies, including previously installed monitoring plots and a before-after-control-intervention study design in treated and untreated areas. Our results will provide a better understanding of OSS biology and distribution in natural aspen stands across latitudes, effectiveness of silviculture and insecticide management tools for mitigating OSS-caused aspen mortality, and initial development of an IPM for OSS in aspen.