Conversations in Science
for K-12 Educators

A program conceived and organized by the Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with the collaboration of the Madison Metropolitan School District and the Edgewood Sonderegger Science Center.

Look Who is at the Front Door Now –
The Ever-changing Insect Invasions in Wisconsin

Phil Pellitteri
University of Wisconsin -- Department of Entomology

ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
We have been under a constant invasion by new insect species. About 2/3 of the “pests species in the state are not native to the United States. In the last three decades we have seen the Multicolored Emerald Ash Borer, European Earwig and the German Yellow Jacket invade and establish in the mid West. This has caused major problems and environmental change. Other insects including eastern subterranean termites, bean leaf beetles, and bed bugs are extending their normal range because of recent warm climatic conditions or changes in the insect’s biology that have been influenced by human activity.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Phil Pellitteri is a Distinguished Faculty Associate with the University of Wisconsin Department of Entomology and has directed the Insect Diagnostic Lab for the Department since 1978.
He has both teaching and extension responsibilities which include courses on campus and about 60 talks around the state each year. Mr. Pellitteri has a Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees in Entomology from the University of Wisconsin Madison.

We will talk about the impacts of these exotic insects on our daily lives in Wisconsin. The lessons they teach are useful in understanding the every changing environment.

REFERENCES
USDA Animal plant inspection service (APIS) http://www.aphis.usda.gov
Invasive insects http://www.invasive.org/insects.cfm
My website http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/entodiag.html