Managing Insect Pests of Ornamental Plants

Get practical tips and quick insect identification clues so you can effectively manage pests and apply the right control at the right time.

Main Content

Insect crawling on white flowered plant

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

Jump to: Overview | Instructor | Reviews | CE Credits | Contact Us | Related Courses | Join Email List

Register Now

Pay with Credit Card:

Pay with Check, PO, or Money Order:

Course Details

Course Name: Managing Insect Pests of Ornamental Plants
Course Code: AL0406WA25
Date of Most Recent Offering: February 20, 2025

Date: February 20, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm EST (Log-in time: 8:30 am EST)

Location: Online
Format: Live, instructor-led

Registration Fee: $210 per person
Early Bird Discount Fee: $195 per person (expires February 13, 2025)

Registration Closes: February 18, 2025

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

Controlling insects is a lot more complicated than just applying pesticide controls. Learn what you need to know! This online class will cover the following necessary topics:

  • IPM
  • Diagnosing Insect Pest Problems on Ornamentals
  • Plant Damage Types
  • Monitoring: Predicting Pest Activity
  • Sustainable Pest Management
  • Biology and Management of Key Pests (sucking insects and mites; defoliators)
  • Biology and Management of Key Pests (borers, leafminers, and gallmakers)

Taught by Dr. Paula Shrewsbury, Extension Specialist, University of Maryland, this class covers all seven of these topics with practical tips and quick identification clues.

Who Should Attend?

This class is a great source of information for anyone who wants to learn more about how to identify and manage insect pests that affect ornamental landscape plants. Past participants have included:

  • Arborists
  • Buildings and Grounds Supervisors
  • Foresters
  • Garden Center Employees
  • Greenhouse Technicians
  • Horticulturists
  • IPM Technicians
  • Landscape Company Owners
  • Lawn Care Professionals
  • Master Gardeners
  • Parks Department Employees
  • Pesticide Applicators

Meet Your Instructor

Dr. Paula Shrewsbury, University of Maryland

Headshot of instructor Dr. Paula Shrewsbury

Dr. Shrewsbury is a Professor and Extension Specialist in Ornamental and Turf IPM at the University of Maryland. Her educational background includes a B.S. in Plant Science from the University of Rhode Island, a M.S. in Entomology from the University of California, Riverside, and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Maryland. She has worked with the green industries for more than 25 years. Paula conducts applied research and extension education programs on IPM. The overall focus of her program is to create sustainable landscapes, nurseries, and turf systems with an emphasis on biological control, conservation of beneficial arthropods, and management of invasive species. Paula is a long time contributor to the University of Maryland Extension IPM Alert weekly newsletter.

Student Reviews

“Very thorough explanation of the types of insects you will encounter and how to recognize them.”

– Past Participant

“Very focused professor, very knowledgeable. Did not waste any time during the giving of the class. She showed us a lot of insects hard to see in our normal life. A+ for her.”

– Past Participant

“I learned how to look for and monitor pests and how to identify those pests.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Managing Insect Pests of Ornamental Plants (5.5 contact hours) was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Managing Insect Pests of Ornamental Plants course (5.5 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

State of Maryland map iconMaryland

MD Pesticide Applicators: Pending

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ / CT Pesticide Applicators: 4 units in 3A; 3C; 6B; 10; PP2

*Please check the NJDEP’s updated policy regarding earning pesticide credits from online courses: https://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/pcp/bpo.htm

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 5 Technical Contact Hours

NJ Licensed Tree Experts (LTE/LTCO): 5.5 CEUs

NJ Urban and Community Forestry (NJUCF): 5 CEUs

DE, NY, MA, and MD Pesticide Applicators: If you need pesticide credits in these states, you must register and notify Joe Canzano at least 45 days before the course start date. Call 848-932-7317 or send an email to joe.canzano@rutgers.edu.

Course Requirements and Policies

stack of books iconRecommended Text

Managing Insects and Mites on Woody Plants: An IPM Approach. The cost for this text is $29.95 for Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) members and $44.95 for non-members. For ordering information, please contact the TCIA at 603-314-5380.

electronic devices iconTechnology Requirements

This online course will be delivered via Zoom.

Registration will close on February 18, 2025. On February 19, registrants will receive an email with a link to access the course and a document with tips on how to use Zoom. On the day of the class, please log in to Zoom 30 minutes before the course start time for a brief overview of the online format. The course will start promptly at 9:00 am EST.

Equipment you will need to access this training:

  • A computer, tablet, or smartphone
  • Microphone is necessary if you’d like to ask questions
  • Webcam is optional but not necessary
  • Speaker is optional but not necessary (you will be able to listen to the presentation by dialing in on your phone if your computer does not have a speaker)

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

camera iconPhoto ID Requirement

Each registrant will be asked provide a photo of him/herself holding their government-issued photo ID. This is required by credit boards so that you may receive credits for participating in this online course.

  • You will receive a reminder email prior to the start of the class with further instructions. Wait to receive these instructions before you attempt to upload your ID.
  • The photo must be clear enough that we can read your name and verify that the person pictured on the ID is in fact the person holding it.
  • After an OCPE staff member reviews the picture and verifies your identity, you will have access to participate in the course when it begins.

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Attention U.S. Veterans

American flag icon

This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Managing Insect Pests of Ornamental Plants, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Joe Canzano

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

Rutgers University Shield

Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Searching for pests on plant with magnifying glass as part of IPM approach to pest management

Landscape Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Zinnia plant with disease

Managing Diseases of Ornamental Landscape Plants

Gloved hands of landscaper inspecting turfgrass for signs of insects, disease, or weeds

Pest Management of Landscape Turf

white envelope icon with @ sign representing email

Join Our Email List!