Viruses infect plants in agricultural fields, marginal habitats, prairies, on mountain peaks...and everywhere else we look! Not all virus infections are detectable, though, and it's hard to confirm the identity of a virus when you suspect it's there! Fortunately, we've done the leg work to develop a diagnostic tool for monitoring a common virus (Turnip mosaic virus) in a widespread host (Hesperis matronalis) (see Lombardi et al. 2022), and now we are looking for participants to join a community of plant-virus hunters! Join us!

 Togther, we will build a dispersed network of professional and non-professional botanical enthusiasts (that's you) to monitor virus infections in a focal plant species, Hesperis matronalis. This project is led by Dr. Elizabeth (Lizzie) M. Lombardi (University of Minnesota Duluth), and encourages participation from anyone with interest and a keen eye. 

If you would like to participate in the project in any capacity, big or small, please join the Pretty Virus Project on iNaturalist (or click on the button at the top of the page).

If you want to be part of the research process, please addyour contact information to the email list by clicking the button below and Lizzie will reach out!