Around the world, pulse crops—such as beans, peas, chickpeas, and lentils—are an important staple in the modern food supply, and their cultivation is growing in the United States and many other Western countries. As in any agricultural system, though, pulse crops can fall victim to a wide range of insect pests. Pulse crop growers facing pest management… Read more »
Author: Thomas Green
Progress through sharing: announcing iPiPE newsletter
The Integrated Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education (iPiPE) has recently begun releasing monthly updates informing readers on the great work Extension specialists, growers and interns are doing together to share actionable information to help protect crops, and other exciting iPiPE happenings. As of 2018, iPiPE has supported 28 Crop-Pest Programs (CPPs) that unite… Read more »
Australian experiment wipes out over 80% of disease-carrying mosquitoes
In an experiment with global implications, Australian scientists have successfully wiped out more than 80% of disease-carrying mosquitoes in trial locations across north Queensland. The experiment, conducted by scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and James Cook University (JCU), targeted Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread deadly diseases such as dengue fever… Read more »
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Management Survey for Commercial Producers
A nation-wide survey is currently underway to gather information from farmers and growers on the economic impact of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) on agriculture. The objective of the survey is to better provide you with the help you need in managing this pest by finding out when BMSB became a problem for you,… Read more »
Become a champion for pollinators with new online course from MSU
Did you know that over 90 crops in the U.S. are dependent on pollinators? Or that around 80 percent of all flowering plants need pollinators? Without pollinators, we would lose many of the fruits and vegetables we like to eat as well as the amazing diversity we enjoy out in nature. You may have heard… Read more »
New guide to organic management of spotted wing Drosophila released
Michigan State University is collaborating with researchers from across the country to address the invasive insect pest, spotted wing Drosophila (SWD). This pest is particularly challenging for organic growers due to the limited number of organically approved and effective insecticides. With funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), the team… Read more »
2018 Partnership Grants to Protect Honey Bees in New England, Control Mice in Multi-Family Housing, and Improve Turfgrass
In 2018, the Northeastern IPM Center awarded more than $300,000 for research and outreach through its IPM Partnership Grants, a competitive funding program. The Northeastern IPM Center began funding projects through the IPM Partnership Grants Program in 2004. Applications have come from public and private institutions or organizations, businesses, commodity groups, and private individuals. This… Read more »
Dalmation toadflax — invasive species in western Nebraska
Early Detection and Rapid Response is a concept to identify potential invasive species prior to or just as the establishment of the invasive is taking place. An Integrated Pest Management plan can be developed to manage, contain and eradicate the invasive species before it can spread further. This will avoid costly, long-term control efforts. A… Read more »
‘The Tick App’ launched to study human behavior, tick exposure and the risk of Lyme disease
What is it about? Lyme disease! And other things related to ticks: how to identify them, how to report them and, most importantly for the research team, it asks about your whereabouts and tick encounters. This is research? Yes, and it also reminds you to check for ticks and take precautions to not get bitten!… Read more »
URI Researcher’s TickSpotters Program Provides Timely Risk Assessment
With University of Rhode Island Professor of Entomology Tom Mather warning that a tough tick season is looming this spring and summer, he also wants you to know that help is as close as the Internet or cellular data by using his TickSpotters program. With your smartphone or camera, simply take a photo of a… Read more »