2025 KTU Session 4

Ants: Our Friends and Foes!

April 5, 2025
An interactive session led by Dr. Scotty Yang. 

Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech

Dr. Scotty Yang studies the ecology, genetics, behavior, and microbes of invasive ants, aiming to develop effective management strategies. He has worked with invasive ant task forces in Taiwan, Japan, and Australia, where he created operating procedures for monitoring, surveillance, and biocontrol of these invasive ant pests. Currently, Dr. Yang leads several projects at both state and national levels, focusing on microbial control, fire ant identification, and early detection and rapid response systems. 

In this session, we’ll explore the ants we absolutely need to keep around and those we need to keep in check. You’ll learn how invasive ants can harm our health, agriculture, and ecosystem sustainability. We’ll also discuss the important roles that native ants play in maintaining functions of our environment. Plus, we’ll share ways you can help stop the spread of invasive ants. Join us for an engaging and informative adventure!!