IPM News and Events Roundup 2/18/2022
A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment and funding opportunities and more from the NE IPM Center. If you have IPM-related research, events or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email me at nec2@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived here.
Tarping in the Northeast: A Guide for Small Farms, University of Maine Extension bulletin #1075
Reusable tarps, including black plastic (silage tarps), clear plastic, and landscape fabric, are multi-functional, accessible tools that are increasingly popular on small farms. The use of opaque materials that block light is frequently called “occultation” while the use of clear tarps is called “solarization.” The researchers treat “tarping” as a general term to include both. Regardless of the material used, tarps are applied to the soil surface between crops and then removed prior to planting. This project came out of a Working Group funded by the Northeastern IPM Center.
Spongy moth proposed as new common name for Lymnatria dispar
A group of entomologists and forestry professionals convened by the Entomological Society of America has recommended "spongy moth" as the new common name for the moth species Lymantria dispar. The name—derived from the common name used in France and French-speaking Canada, "spongieuse"—refers to the moth's sponge-like egg masses. It would replace "gypsy moth" as the approved common name in ESA's Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List, from which the name was removed in July 2021 for its use of a derogatory term for the Romani people.
Genomic Selection eased for more plant, animal breeders
Cornell program is adding seven new plant and animal species to its arsenal of supported specialty crops and animals for 2022 – an expansion that will help accelerate public and private plant and animal breeders’ efforts to introduce new varieties adapted to climate change, shifting consumer preferences and more.
APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in Kentucky and Virginia on joint incident responses. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the properties will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Depopulation is complete in Virginia. Birds from the flocks will not enter the food system. Washington Post article here.
USDA increases effort to protect US poultry
APHIS announcing the expansion of wild bird surveillance for avian influenza to include the Mississippi and Central Flyways. This expansion also enlarged the existing surveillance program in the Atlantic and Pacific Flyways, which is in place to conduct surveillance of birds that may interact with wild birds from Europe and Asia.
New Jersey Blueberry Growers2021 Trial data from Rutgers University
Blueberry anthracnose, Colletotrichum acutatum, is the most damaging disease pathogen in eastern highbush blueberry production. Trials were conducted in the 2021 growing season in New Jersey to assess the efficacy of the BVT system against this disease, and this is a recap of the results.
A Big Plan for a Small Berry- Elderberry
Like most crops, a successful and sustainable elderberry production will depend on effective pest management that addresses key pests. A major step in developing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is to identify the key pests and pest natural enemies in the cropping system. Studies have been conducted since May 2020 to determine the presence and abundance of arthropod pests and associated natural enemies in elderberry production in Missouri. Different sampling methods were used to collect arthropods in three elderberry farms. Overall, 80 insect, 12 spider, and 3 mite species were found during the 2020 and 2021 elderberry growing seasons. The most abundant insect pests were elderberry borer, green and brown stink bugs, aphids, sawflies, Japanese and June beetles, Jessie’s bug, and tarnished plant bug. The most common insect natural enemies found were spined soldier bugs, assassin bugs, several dragonflies and damselflies, hover flies, robber flies, soldier beetles (mainly pollinators), and several ground beetles.
Manage Weeds on your Farm: An Ecological Approach, from SARE
Sustainable weed management is essential for improving crop yield and increasing farm and ranch profitability. SARE’s newest book xamines the biology and behavior of common weeds and provides an integrated set of non-chemical control strategies that exploits their weaknesses. Manage Weeds on Your Farm will help organic and conventional farmers alike better understand and manage weeds efficiently, effectively and ecologically.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB):
Invasive Species:
Research:
Soil Disturbance Impact on Crop Ergothioneine Content Connects Soil and Human Health
Soil tillage on farms may significantly reduce the availability in crops of ergothioneine (ERGO), an amino acid produced by certain types of soil-borne fungi and bacteria that is known as a “longevity vitamin” due to its potent antioxidant properties, according to new research by an interdisciplinary team at Penn State. The study is among the first to demonstrate that soil disturbance can directly impact a key dietary factor associated with long-term human health. Article here.
Repellency and toxicity of a CO2-derived cedarwood oil on hard tick species
To test for repellency or toxicity to the ticks' nymph stages, scientists treated small pieces of filter paper with microgram amounts of cedarwood oil and placed the papers on short vertical rods. They then released the nymphs and recorded what happened to them upon crawling up the rods and contacting the treated paper. Contact with the oil-treated papers repelled 80 to 94 percent of black-legged tick nymphs, meaning they retreated, moved more slowly or dropped off the rods. Article here.
Ormyrus labotus Another Generalist that Should not be a Generalist is not a Generalist
Parasitoid wasps lay their eggs on or inside other insects and arthropods, and the larvae eat their way out when they hatch. Each parasitoid wasp species tends to prefer one or a few hosts. But Ormyrus labotus had been observed laying its eggs in more than 65 different species of insects — far more than one or a few. Article here.
Webinars, Conferences, Meetings and more:
West Virginia Small Farms Conference, Feb 21-25, virtual, free
This year's conference has been transformed and condensed into a virtual event to ensure the safety of our attendees. The presenters feel strongly that the event should be free again this year due to the continued economic situations that individuals may be facing from the ongoing pandemic. Log in to the system and enroll in the 2022 West Virginia Small Farm Conference. Then register for the conference. To learn more about how to register, watch this video recording on YouTube.
UMass Amherst Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry upcoming programs
Get Ready for Soring Greenhouse Program March 1
Community Tree Conference March 3
State Regulations Pertaining to Invasive Plant Management March 10
Principles and Fundamentals of Weed Science Mar 17 and MORE!
National Park Service webinar series continues
Feb 24 Ballast Water Transport and Treatment of Aquatic Invasive Species: This talk will cover how ballast water is used, examples of aquatic invasive species transported by ballast water, current treatment technology, and the state of ballast water regulations.
March 3 Pesticides and Pollinators – Understanding the Risk: his webinar will include foundational information on pesticides and how they impact ecosystems. Learn how to understand and assess the risks associated with pesticide use, as well as how our regulatory systems address risk.
Navigating the Human Side of Farming, March 2-23
Through presentations and discussions, we will uncover some of the top issues women farmers are facing in these two risk areas on the farm. This event will require some preparation between sessions. The online sessions will allow for time with guest speakers and discussion among participants. Participants will get the most out of this program by attending all four sessions.
Latest Developments in Integrated Tick Management, March 8 2pm ET
During this webinar, CDC will discuss how tick populations and emerging tick-borne pathogens are growing in number and geographic range. Experts will also review tick management strategies, including pesticides, tick repellents, and other personal protection measures. Speakers will represent the CDC, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, and USDA Agricultural Research Service
XXVI International Congress of Entomology, July 17-22, Helsinki, Finland
This conference was postponed from last year. Registration is now open.
Employment Opportunities:
Executive Director, North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI
The Executive Director promotes the organization’s mission and objectives, maintains positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, works with staff to achieve organizational goals, and maintains sound financial practices, including tax and reporting compliance. The Executive Director is the face of the organization, delivering presentations when needed to external organizations. They have strong leadership qualities, relevant experience fundraising and managing budgets, as well as excellent planning and organizational skills.
Conservation Projects Manager, Finger Lakes Land Trust, Ithaca, NY
Reporting to the Director of Conservation, the Conservation Projects Manager is responsible for managing acquisition projects, initiating contact with landowners in defined focus areas, assisting the Director of Conservation with implementing the organization’s conservation strategy, and responding to inquiries from landowners interested in conserving their land.
Outreach and Education Specialist, State Of Maryland Dept of Natural Resources, Annapolis, MD
This position is responsible for coordinating and implementing certain outreach and education programs for the DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service. The incumbent works closely with agency personnel, state educators, and environmentalists to determine educational outreach needs and priorities, interpret scientific data, and evaluate curriculum. This position is responsible for the coordination and implementation of multiple outreach programs, including Project WILD, MD State Fair, Envirothon, Wild Acres, and Backyard Wildlife. Overall, these programs educate tens of thousands of Maryland's citizens every year, including hundreds of educators and thousands of students.
Visiting Extension Outreach Associate, Univ of Illinois at Champagne/Urbana
The Visiting Extension Outreach Associate’s primary responsibilities are to focus on enhanced programming opportunities to strengthen Pollinator and Insect Biodiversity programs and pilot new relevant programs. Person hired in this position will lead and coordinate I-Pollinate and other related pollinator-centric activities, including collaborative beekeeping projects with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. This position will coordinate efforts at Unit, Region and State levels, and aid in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Post-Doctoral Research Associates, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD
The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. National Arboretum in Beltsville, Maryland, is seeking two Postdoctoral Research Associates, (Research Plant Pathologist or Research Plant Molecular Biologist or Research Plant Geneticist) for two-year appointments.
Research Fellow, Beneficial Insects Lab, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Initiate and maintain a variety of insect colonies including the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and its parasitoids (e.g., Spathius galinae, Tetrastichus planipennisi, and Oobius spp.), so that sufficient numbers of these insects are available during specified periods in order to conduct experiments. Set up and oversee all duties related to carrying out the experiments on emerald ash borer and its parasitoids. Conduct field work that includes identification of study sites, survey of emerald ash borer and its parasitoids, and inventory of ash trees and assessment of the tree health. Field work may occur any time of year in either heat or cold, there may be biting insects, and the terrain may be uneven. The employee will be responsible for ensuring that all equipment necessary for field work is available and well maintained.
IPM Coordinator, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Help develop and provide practical, scientifically proven, economically, and environmentally responsible solutions for pest management problems for farmers and other clients who reside on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Assist and support existing, new, and expanding crop production systems in the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Help to educate the stakeholders about effective pest management solutions and pesticide applicator licensing. Design and execute field trials, demonstration trials, and other training events. Collect data that includes but is not limited to scouting and monitoring pests and diseases in various crops such as cucurbits, strawberries, grape, hemp, soybeans, corn, vegetables and others.
Plant Pathologist, US Forest Service, Morgantown, WV
Organize, plan, and conduct forest pathology training programs, presentations, and seminars that are tailored to the audience for internal and external customers. Provide recommendations to land users regarding ways they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems. Coordinate and implement all aspects of a pathogen detection, evaluation, prevention, and control program.
Entomologist, US Forest Service, Morgantown, WV
Applies knowledge of entomology to determine extent and effects of insect infestations. Evaluates and conducts insect detection surveys and biological evaluation on federal, state, tribal and/or private lands. Evaluates and applies relevant aerial or ground detection information in context of resource management objectives. Provides technology transfer of research findings to resource managers. Plans and organizes pilot projects and field tests to determine the value of new or improved materials, strategies, or techniques for operational use in insect survey, evaluation, or control.