Insect ecology

Our research focuses on understanding the biology and ecology of insects that attack and/or spread viruses to vegetable crops as well as insects that are beneficial to these crops, such as pollinators. In turn, we digest this information to develop comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) guidelines for the major insect pests of vegetable crops. Major projects have included describing spatial and temporal patterns of insect dispersal and the epidemiology of insect-transmitted viruses in vegetable cropping systems. Information generated from this research has advanced our knowledge about predicting pest outbreaks, developing insecticide resistance management strategies, mitigating the spread of insect-transmitted viruses and the impact of supplementing vegetable crops with managed colonies of bees. This information is conveyed to the vegetable industry at producer-focused meetings, publications and via the web.

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