The popular First Detector Program, is returning to northern Illinois next year, this time with more new topics.

Kelly Estes, Agriculture Pest Survey Coordinator, announced the dates for the 2015 Illinois First Detector Workshops last week. This is the third year the First Detector Workshops will be offered. Once again, new topics on current and emerging invasive plants, pathogens, and insects will be covered. Each location will have sessions covering brown marmorated stink bug, viruses in ornamental plants, invasive plants and their management as well as a session devoted to discussing invasive pest pathways. These in-depth training sessions will cover material that includes: identification/detection, life cycle/biology, hosts, sampling, management, and commonly confused look-a-likes. Participants will also be given an opportunity to take part in hands-on activities to learn about the topics in more detail.

Plan on joining us in one of these locations – more information on how to register will be available in the coming months.

January 29 – Collinsville

February 3 – Wheaton

February 4 – DeKalb

February 11 – Mt. Vernon

February 12 – Charleston

February 18 – Macomb

February 19 – Moline

February 26 – Bloomington

For more information please contact Kelly Estes, kcook8@illinois.edu.