A once innocuous species, Nepytia janetae, brings novel defoliation to the Santa Fe National Forest

Friday, October 27, 2023

3:00pm - 4:00pm PST

Location: Expo Hall

Poster Presenter(s)

PD

Peggy De'Scoville (she/her/hers)

Graduate Student Natural Resources Management Environmental Science
New Mexico Highlands University
Taos, New Mexico, United States

Co-Author(s)

JK

Jennifer G. Klutsch, PhD

Research Scientist
Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
AG

Andrew D. Graves, PhD

Zone Leader
USDA/Forest Service/Forest Health Protection
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
AS

Anna Schoettle
JF

John Formby

Janets looper moth (Nepytia janetae) is an endemic lepidopteran that has become an emerging pest of concern. During the winters of 2017-2020, it defoliated 12,000 acres of high-elevation conifers in the Santa Fe National Forest, 200-miles north of its first NM outbreak. What are the impacts of this novel disturbance?

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participant will explain what Janets looper moth is and why it is an emerging pest of concern for the Southwest high-elevation forests.
Upon completion, participant will identify the impact of Janets looper moth on high elevation conifers in the Southwest.
Upon completion, participant will outline forest and climate conditions that have paved the way for this emerging pest.