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Louisiana’s agricultural and natural resources continue to be under attack from a wide variety of invasive species. Some are new to the state, while others have been here for a long time. This issue of Louisiana Agriculture highlights the broad range of research activities being conducted by LSU AgCenter scientists to understand how invasive species survive and thrive and to identify effective means of controlling or limiting their damage in the state.

Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Winter 2022

Invasive Species Infographic


salassijpgLSU AgCenter Research is critical in combating the effects of invasive species

Michael E. Salassi

LSU AgCenter scientists conduct research to identify effective means of controlling or limiting the damage from invasive species in Louisiana agriculture.


phamjpgSolving a Giant Problem with a Tiny Solution: The Salvinia Weevil

Korey Pham, Christopher Mudge, Hannah Laville and Rodrigo Diaz

Researchers are developing the best ways to make use of the salvinia weevil’s ability to destroy the giant salvinia plant clogging Louisiana waterways.


davisjpgInvading Insects Impact Louisiana Soybean

Jeffrey A. Davis

The redbanded stink bug is the primary insect threat to Louisiana soybeans. Others are the kudzu bug and the brown marmorated stink bug.


zhiyuan chenjpgManaging Soybean Rust in Louisiana

Trey Price, David Moseley, Guy B. Padgett and Zhi-Yuan Chen

Soybean rust continues to be a threat to soybean production in Louisiana since its discovery in this country in 2004 and must be managed.


garcia-arocajpgBuilding a Framework for Managing an Emerging Fungal Disease of Soybean

Vinson P. Doyle, Teddy Garcia-Aroca, Trey Price and José E. Solórzano

Emerging fungal diseases of crops represent a major global biosecurity threat, and researchers are working to prevent these diseases in Louisiana.


gravoisjpgFederal and State Agencies Help Protect Local Industries from Unwanted Pests and Diseases

Kenneth Gravois

Plants and animals coming into Louisiana from other states or countries are regulated to help deter the spread of invasive species.


lutzjpgWhite Spot Syndrome Virus in Louisiana Crawfish

Greg Lutz

LSU AgCenter and LSU School of Veterinary Medicine researchers are trying to determine crawfish susceptibility to white spot syndrome.


towlesjpgAn Army on the Move: Farmers, Entomologists Battle Fall Armyworm in 2021

Tyler Towles, Blake Wilson, Michael Stout and Fangneng Huang

The 2021 crop growing season presented many challenges for Louisiana producers, but none as remarkable as the fall armyworm.


wilsonjpgMitigating the Impact of Invasive Apple Snails in Rice and Crawfish Production Systems

Julian M. Lucero and Blake E. Wilson

Within the past decade, the apple snail has established itself in Louisiana but has only recently begun infesting rice farms in the southwestern region.


villegasjpgProactive Research to Mitigate the Impact of the Invasive Mexican Rice Borer

James M. Villegas and Blake E. Wilson

The invasive Mexican rice borer has become increasingly problematic in Louisiana in recent years and threatens both rice and sugarcane.


sunjpgUnderstanding Foraging Behavior of the Formosan Subterranean Termite

Arjun Khadka, Steven Richardson and Qian “Karen” Sun

In looking for new ways to control termites, scientists are studying how environmental factors (humidity, moisture, food availability) affect termite survival.


chenjpgDynamics of Gut Symbionts in Termite Kings and Queens During Early Colony Development

Junyan Chen, Garima Setia, Qian Sun and Claudia Husseneder

LSU AgCenter researchers are studying the digestive process of the Formosan subterranean termite to determine a new way to control this invasive species.


pevetojpgLethal Bait May Lead to Solution of Louisiana’s Feral Pig Problem

Kyle Peveto

A lethal pig bait designed by LSU AgCenter researchers and LSU chemists could be one answer to the proliferation of feral pigs in Louisiana.


watsonjpgNew and Reemerging Threats to Louisiana Sweet Potato Production

Tristan Watson, Josielle Rezende and Christopher Clark

The LSU AgCenter is part of a national effort to prevent the spread of diseases caused by nematodes and fungi that affect sweet potatoes.


pricejpgEmerging Disease Issues in Cotton

Trey Price, Tyler Towles, Karla Emfinger, Myra Purvis, Dustin Ezell and Wade Walker

LSU AgCenter scientists are trying to prevent the spread of a couple of diseases of cotton, cotton leafroll dwarf virus and target spot.


diazjpgRoseau Cane Scale: How Insect Research Can Help the Sustainability of the Mississippi River Delta

Rodrigo Diaz

LSU AgCenter scientists are studying ways to control the spread of the roseau cane scale that is killing the tall roseau cane plants that guard the Louisiana coast line.


yan chenjpgManaging Crapemyrtle Bark Scale: Are We Winning the Fight?

Yan Chen and Rodrigo Diaz

Researchers are trying to prevent the spread of crapemyrtle bark scale before it devastates the beloved crapemyrtle tree.


lazarojpgWeeds: A Major Threat to Louisiana Agriculture

Lauren Lazaro, Donnie Miller, Christopher Mudge, Albert Orgeron, Daniel Stephenson and Ronald Strahan

Weeds are the largest economic threat to Louisiana agriculture as a whole, whether in row crops, aquatics, rangelands or pastures.


singhjpgInvasive Plant Diseases Threatening Louisiana Specialty Crops

Raj Singh

Among the most important invasive plant diseases threatening Louisiana specialty crops are boxwood dieback, citrus canker and palm phytoplasmas.


blanchardjpgNew Faculty Profile: Tristan Watson finds niche with nematodes

Tobie Blanchard

Assistant professor Tristan Watson’s research focuses on nematodes, microscopic roundworms, that can be detrimental to crops.


coajpgCollege of Agriculture News for Winter 2022

Annabelle Lang

College honors outstanding faculty and alumni for 2021; Four students selected for conservation program; Ringelman awarded Ducks Unlimited endowed professorship


agcenterjpgLSU AgCenter News for Winter 2022

Linda Foster Benedict

Break Up with Salt program saves lives; New low-glycemic rice helps diabetics; $5 million grant for sweet potato research; Annual awards presented to outstanding faculty and staff

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

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