Research
Research in our lab integrates basic studies on the biology, ecology and behavior or vegetable insect pests and pathogens with applied studies utilizing both novel and traditional pest management approaches.
Insect ecology | ||
Overwintering habitats of the Colorado potato beetle in Wisconsin's Central Sands production area | ||
image: A. Huseth |
Documenting localized Colorado potato beetle movement improves our understanding of how this pest interacts with landscapes beyond the crop. Identification of preferred overwintering sites will provide fundamental research-based information needed to more feasibly and economically apply various cultural management tools (e.g. rotation, trap crops, perimeter sprays, etc). more... | |
Insecticides and insecticide resistance | ||
New insecticide technology for control in potato insect pest management | ||
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The Colorado potato beetle continues to be the most serious insect pest found on commercially produced potatoes in Central Sands region of Wisconsin, largely as a result of its resistance to several registered insecticides. more... | |
Vine crop pest management | ||
image: D. Lowenstein |
A key limiting factor for all cucurbit farmers includes cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum) and subsequent transmission of the bacterial wilt pathogen, Erwinia tracheiphila. This project focuses on the development of enhanced IPM practices for cucurbit production employing a combination of novel cultural and pest management practices. more... | |
2008 Wisconsin surveys of Colorado potato beetle insensitivity to neonicotinoids | ||
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This project is directed at further enhancing our present integrated pest management strategies for key insect pests in potato with a focus on the development of integrated chemical, biological, and cultural management practices. A primary focus of the proposed work has been to accurately identify pest management strategies that reduce the total number of insecticide applications, limit the onset or development of insecticide resistance, and provide novel or refined management tactics for the sequence of insect control measures implemented. more... | |
Onion thrips control using foliar insecticides in dry bulb onion production | ||
image: B. Bishop, MSU |
Effective, economical, and efficient long term management of both onion thrips and continues to be a challenge in the production of dry bulb onion. This insect pest continues to be a high pest priority for Wisconsin onion growers. more... | |
Mint bud mite management in Wisconsin peppermint production: application timing and new tools | ||
| Effective, economical, and efficient long term management of mint bud mite continues to be a challenge for specific field locations and the production of black peppermint. In addition to effective crop rotation, bud mites are managed almost exclusively using acaricides. Some acaricides used for control perform adequately, while others continue to perform poorly. more... | ||
Vector-borne crop disease | ||
Non crop sources of CMV and implications for management | ||
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Recently snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) crops in Wisconsin have experienced significant increases in incidence and crop losses associated with infection of cucumber mosaic virus. This increase has anecdotally been linked to the recent introduction and establishment of the soybean aphid (Aphis glycines Matsumura) in the upper Midwest region. Presumably, the unique population biology and dispersal of this species has changed both the spatial arrangement and temporal movement patters previously observed with respect to CMV in the region. more... | |
Seasonal infectivity of aster leafhoppers in carrot | ||
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Each year, Wisconsin growers produce carrots on an average of 4200 acres grossing over $6 million dollars in revenues (USDA-NASS, 2007 annual bulletin). Unfortunately, carrot fields are threatened annually by the occurrence of aster yellows phytoplasma (AYp), which is obligately transmitted by the aster leafhopper (Macrosteles quadrilineatus Forbes).The management of off-crop habitats in ways that minimize the persistence and decrease the accumulation of AYp inoculum in the local environment has the potential to contribute to the sustainability of carrot production primarily through reductions in pesticide. more... | |
Long-term storability of potato virus Y infected tubers | ||
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In recent years, Potato Virus Y has reemerged as a serious disease problem in many potato production areas in the northern United States and eastern Canada. In the first year of preliminary research, we have documented significant reductions in storage quality parameters including percent solids and shrinkage. more... | |
Seasonal flight dynamic of aphid species in occurrence with potato virus Y infection in commercial potato fields | ||
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Potato virus Y (PVY), once managed effectively by strict seed certification practices, has re-emerged as a serious disease problem in the seed potato crop in many areas of the United States and Canada. New variants of PVY that cause tuber necrosis further threaten tuber quality in both seed and commercial crops. more... | |
Pollinators | ||
Native bees in cucurbits | ||
image: D. Lowenstein |
The contribution by native pollinators towards pollination has been studied in several crops requiring insect-mediated pollination including watermelon, pumpkin, and sunflower.This study will determine if the landscape surrounding a field impacts the species diversity and abundance of native bees. more... | |