On Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 9 a.m., Larry Dapsis, an entomologist and specialist on deer ticks, will speak about lyme disease and the recently discovered and deadly Powassan virus, discovered on Cape Cod this past summer.

The program is open to the public and a guest fee of $5 will be collected at the door. The event takes place at the Tabor Great Room, 188 Front St. Parking is available across the street at Island Wharf.

Dapnis holds a master’s degree in entomology from UMass Amherst and worked for nearly 25 years at Ocean Spray Cranberry, Inc. In his current position as entomologist for the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, he has conducted tick surveillance at regional sites to determine the presence of tick-borne infections and viruses. In July of 2016, a new, potentially serious, tick-borne illness known as Powassan virus was reported.

New research indicates that the virus has spread among deer ticks in several Cape towns.

Marion gardeners and others interested in learning about ticks are invited to this informative program. For more information, check the Marion Garden Group website at mariongardengroup.com or join the discussion on Feb. 7.