Dear members of FORENT and FORPATH,

The IUFRO Working Party 7.03.11 has recently changed its title and scope from "Resistance to Insects" to "Resistance to Insects and Pathogens".

Tree resistance to insects and pathogens relies on multiple host defense mechanisms, and while these mechanisms are often specific toward either insects or pathogens, there are mechanisms that affect cross resistance and susceptibility. Moreover, the interconnection between resistance to insects and pathogens is particularly important when trees interact with both agents simultaneously, such as when insects vector pathogens or facilitate infection.

The rationale for this change was to create a more inclusive Working Party which could be of interest to many additional researchers, and to enhance the already strong connection between the Entomology and Pathology units of the Forest Health Division.

Given the broadening of the focus, we are building a new lists of scientists who are interested in the Working Party.

If you would like to be included on the new Working Party 7.03.11 scientist list, please send your contact information to the Working Party Coordinator Caterina Villari (cvillari@uga.edu). Email addresses will not  be posted on the IUFRO website.

The next upcoming event jointly sponsored by the Working Parties 2.02.15 and 7.03.11 will be the 6th International Conference on the Genetics of Tree-Parasite Interactions: Tree Resistance to Insects and Diseases - Putting Promise into Practice, which will be held August 5-10, 2018 in Mt. Sterling, Ohio, USA. More information can be found on the conference website: https://treeresistance2018.ca.uky.edu/.

 

Kind regards,

Caterina Villari, WP Coordinator

Dan Herms, WP Deputy