Register for blueberry stem gall wasp and blueberry pollination webinar on March 17

Although the focus will be mainly on early-season blueberry management issues, the bee pollination information will be useful for small fruit crops such as raspberries and blackberries.

A parasitic wasp probing into a blueberry gall
A parasitic wasp probing into a blueberry gall to lay eggs into developing blueberry stem gall wasps. Photo by Ben Johnson.

Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) are inviting Michigan’s blueberry growers and other interested berry growers to our first webinar for the 2021 berry season. The Blueberry Stem Gall Wasp and Blueberry Pollination Webinar will take place Wednesday, March 17, from 1-4 p.m. Although the focus will be mainly on blueberries, the information on bee pollination will be of importance for other small fruit crops such as raspberries and blackberries.

The first part of this webinar will provide an update on research advances on managing and controlling blueberry stem gall wasp in blueberries. Rufus Isaacs, MSU Extension berry entomology specialist, and his team have conducted extensive research on the biology, behavior and control of this damaging pest for several years, and he will share recent results with blueberry growers during this webinar.

The second portion of this webinar will be dedicated to blueberry pollination. Ana Heck, MSU Extension apiculture educator, will share information on blueberry pollination that is important for improving yield and fruit quality. She will also share information on the new Blueberry Pollinator Stewardship Guide. This guide provides helpful information on how growers can protect managed pollinators from the risk of pesticide poisoning and how farms can better support pollinator health.

Growers attending this webinar will receive two Restricted Use Pesticide credits for the renewal of their Michigan Pesticide Applicator License. However, to receive those credits, you need to complete a survey at the end of the webinar.

This event is free of charge, but online preregistration is required.

Register for Blueberry Stem Gall Wasp and Blueberry Pollination Webinar

MSU Extension is an affirmative equal opportunity institution. Thus, to be inclusive and provide equal opportunity to those growers with language barriers, we will provide simultaneous translation for English and Spanish speaking audience members. Please contact Carlos Garcia at garcias4@msu.edu or 616-260-0671 by March 15 to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be fulfilled when possible.

Did you find this article useful?