Kelly Oten

Kelly Oten is a researcher at North Carolina State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, specializing in Entomology & Plant Pathology. Their work focuses on invasive forest pests and plant diseases affecting hardwood trees across North Carolina.

• Expertise in invasive species management including spotted lanternfly, emerald ash borer, and tree-of-heaven
• Specialist in tree disease control for oak, elm, dogwood, and ash species
• Proficient in pest management strategies for ornamental and agricultural trees

Key research areas include:

• Biological control methods using parasitoid wasps
• Herbicide applications in forest management
• Identification and mitigation of invasive plant/pest interactions

Recent publications cover:

• Callery pear invasive offspring (2025)
• Laurel wilt disease (2025)
• Elm tree diseases (2025)
• Gall wasp biology (2025)
• Firewood pest dispersal (2021)