A representative of WSU Skagit County Extension briefed Skagit County commissioners on Oct. 13 about several emerging agricultural pests that researchers and local growers are monitoring.

The extension speaker listed species of concern including the yellow-legged hornet, corn earworm, southern green stink bug, lily leaf beetle, beet leafhopper and the Colorado potato beetle. The presenter thanked the WSU Northwest Research & Extension Center and members of the active pest board for their work with regional farmers.

Commissioner Mason and other commissioners responded with appreciation for the extension’s monitoring and research. The extension presenter summarized the role of localized surveillance and collaboration with the Washington State Department of Agriculture and research partners to detect and manage these pests.

The presenter observed that in 19 years with WSU Skagit County Extension she has seen a new damaging insect emerge about every three years and credited local research and extension efforts with finding solutions. The briefing was informational; no board action resulted.