It was accidentally released into the United States in 1869 and now has spread through most of the forests in eastern North America. In outbreak years, it can eat all the leaves from certain trees such as oaks. Defoliated trees become weakened and may die. In the Insect Biocontrol Lab, we are using several strategies to control these pests in the urban and park environment. For more technical information and for recent publications by scientists on this project, see the National Program Staff webpage .
Several beetles are major pests of agricultural crops.
It can completely distroy a potato field by eating foliage if no control is attempted. This beetle also rapidly develops resistance to chemical pesticides and thus it requires a constant effort developing new control strategies so that American farmers can grow this important crop. Corn rootworms are the immature stage of other beetles. These too are distructive pests, not only of corn, but of other vegetables as adults. For more technical information and for recent publications by scientists on this project, see the National Program Staff webpage .