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World-class research right in your backyard
The Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center currently has over 25 research projects underway. Each project addresses a top-rated terrestrial invasive species and at least one of the following research themes: early detection, management alternatives, response to climate change and socio-economic impact.
We invite you to explore our projects below.
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Detecting Hybrid Barberry and Investigating its Role in Rust Epidemiology

Distribution, Risks, and Management of Phyllachora maydis, the Causal Agent of Corn Tar Spot

Exploring public perception of EAB management through virtual and augmented reality

Fungal Biocontrol of Buckthorn and Reed Canarygrass

Forecasting Life Cycles of Japanese Knotweed and Wild Parsnip

Detection and Monitoring of Invasive Phragmites

Developing Dutch-Elm Resistant Trees

Jumping Worms in Minnesota

Early Detection of Invasive Tree Disease

Forecasting Invasive Insect Threats in Minnesota (Complete)

Prioritizing Terrestrial Invasive Species for Research

Cover it Up! Expansion

Distribution Modeling of Common Tansy and Leafy Spurge

Management of Invasive Knotweeds

Modeling Brown Marmorated Stinkbug Dispersal

Range Expansion of Invasive Weeds in Future Climate (Complete)

Rapid Diagnostic Tool for Oak Wilt Early Detection

Detection and Treatment of Oak Wilt

Distinguishing Native and Exotic Reed Canary Grass (Complete)

Soybean Sudden Death Distribution and Traits in Minnesota

Protecting Minnesota from Mountain Pine Beetle

Identifying Palmer Amaranth Seeds (Complete)

Genetic Control of Invasive Insects

Managing Spotted Wing Drosophila

Biocontrol of Garlic Mustard

Early Detection and Management of Brown Marmorated Stinkbug (Complete)

Decreasing Environmental Impacts of Soybean Aphid Management

Biological Control of the Soybean Aphid

Optimizing Tree Injections Against Emerald Ash Borer

Connecting Fungi and Emerald Ash Borer

Improving Gypsy Moth Quarantine Guidelines (Completed)

Woody Invasives in Future Climate

Goat-grazing for Invasive Plant Control

Cover It Up: Using Plants to Control Buckthorn (Complete)

Dwarf Mistletoe Detection and Management
- Dwarf mistletoe detection and management in Minnesota, Marcella Windmuller-Campione, Forest Resources, CFANS
- Developing a spatially explicit bio-economic dispersal model to aid with the management of brown marmorated stink bug, Senait Senay, Plant Pathology, Applied Economics, CFANS
- Fungi in ash trees: Towards protecting trees from emerald ash borer and new diseases, Robert Blanchette, Plant Pathology, CFANS
- Understanding the benefits and limitations of using goats for invasive plant control Tiffany Wolf, Veterinary Population Medicine, CVM
- Genetic control of invasive insect species: Phase I Michael Smanski, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and Biotechnology Institute, CBS
- Developing robust identification assays for Amaranthus palmeri in seed mixtures Don Wyse, Agronomy & Plant Sciences, CFANS
- Garlic mustard biocontrol: Ecological host range of biocontrol agents Roger Becker, Agronomy & Plant Sciences, CFANS
- Mountain pine beetle, phase II: Protecting Minnesota Brian Aukema, Entomology, CFANS
- Biological control of the soybean aphid by Aphelinus certus George Heimpel, Entomology, CFANS
- Decreasing the environmental impacts of soybean aphid management Robert Koch, Entomology, CFANS
- Optimizing tree injections against emerald ash borer Brian Aukema, Entomology, CFANS
- Distribution and traits of fungal pathogen Fusarium virguliforme that influence current and future risk to soybean and other legumes in Minnesota Dean Malvick, Plant Pathology, CFANS
- Tools to distinguish native from exotic reed canary grass Neil Anderson, Horticultural Science, CFANS
- Accurate detection and integrated treatment of oak wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum) in Minnesota Jeannine Cavender-Bares, Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, CBS
- Characterizing dispersal of larval gypsy moth to improve quarantine regulations Brian Aukema, Entomology, CFANS
- Management strategies for the invasive spotted wing drosophila Mary Rogers, Horticultural Science, CFANS
- Will future weather favor Minnesota’s woody invaders? Peter Reich, Forest Resources, CFANS
- Novel diagnostic tools for rapid and early detection of oak wilt Abdennour Abbas, Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, CFANS/CSE
- Early detection, forecasting and management of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, William Hutchison, Entomology, CFANS
- Climate change and range expansion of invasive plants David Moeller, Plant and Microbial Biology, CBS
- Cover it up! Using plants to control buckthorn Peter Reich, Forest Resources, CFANS
Header image credit:
"Spotted wing drosophila" by Oregon Department of Agriculture is licensed under CC BY 2.0