IPM News and Events Roundup 6/24/2022

IPM News and Events Roundup

A weekly collection of IPM news, webinars, employment and funding opportunities, and more from the Northeastern IPM Center

If you have IPM-related research, events, or other IPM news you would like to have included, please email Deb Grantham at dgg3@cornell.edu. If you would like to subscribe to the weekly Roundup, please email northeastipm@cornell.edu. Past Roundups are archived on our website.

 

Northeastern IPM Center News
From the Director

Nancy Cusumano sent her last issue of the IPM News and Events Roundup on April 29, 2022, her last day of work before retirement. Nancy launched the Roundup in January 2019 and compiled every issue until her last. I’ll try to fill those big shoes until a new hire is on board. If you have items for the Roundup in the meantime, please send them to me at dgg3@cornell.edu. If you’d like to leave Nancy a message, we set up a Kudoboard for that purpose.

Many thanks to Mike Webb for setting up the Roundup for the last few weeks – great job!

Jerrie Haines is joining our team, replacing Nancy, and will be taking on the Roundup over the next few weeks. Jerrie has loads of experience in greenhouse settings and IPM within greenhouses, so brings a new dimension to our unit.

- Deb Grantham, director, Northeastern IPM Center

2022 Outstanding Achievements in IPM Award

We are now accepting nominations for this year’s Outstanding Achievements in Integrated Pest Management Award, which aims to recognize one professional and one student based on their efforts and accomplishments in IPM. Winners receive $500 each and agree to provide a story for the Northeastern IPM Center website and/or newsletter and social media outlets, and/or to present a webinar hosted by the Northeastern IPM Center.

We are seeking nominations of growers, consultants, researchers, educators, managers, and college/university students in the Northeast region. To submit a nomination, you must be a grower, consultant, researcher, educator, or manager working in IPM. Alternatively, you may co-nominate with someone who meets the above criteria.

Learn more or submit a nomination.

Nominations must be submitted by Friday, September 16, 2022.

Connect with the Northeastern IPM Center

Website| Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Other News

Biologists discover new insect species (Phys.org | January 24, 2022)

Neuroterus valhalla is a newly described species of cynipid gall wasp discovered in the branches of a live oak tree near the Rice University graduate student pub Valhalla.

EPA Announces Plan to Protect Endangered Species and Support Sustainable Agriculture (United State Environmental Protection Agency | April 12, 2022)

New comprehensive workplan will further species conservation while improving certainty for farmers, local public health agencies, and other pesticide users

Scientists record first case of harmful bacteria in ubiquitous weed found throughout US (Phys.org | April 18, 2022)
Scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have recorded the first North American case of a harmful phytoplasma disease known for its threat to fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops in South America and the Middle East.

The Alien Invasion of Antarctica Is Only Just Beginning (CNET | May 5, 2022)

As the world warms, non-native species threaten Earth's last great wilderness.

California court rules that bees are a type of fish in order to protect them under the state's endangered-species act (Insider | June 1, 2022)

A trio of judges in California said on Tuesday that bees could be legally classified as a type of fish as part of a ruling that gave added conservation protections to the endangered species.

Flies in the Kitchen (University of Arizona Agriculture, Life & Veterinary Sciences & Cooperative Extension | June 9, 2022)

Flies in kitchens, food storage, service, and eating areas are annoying pests. In addition, they can cause food contamination and pose a health risk. Key species include house, fruit, and drain flies, and many others. Correct identification of flies is important and influences management decisions because different species have distinct needs and behaviors.

Vermont officials report 2nd year of spongy moth outbreak (Morning Ag Clips | June 15, 2022)

In some parts of the state, Vermonters are noticing the return of a disturbing sight in our forests and backyards: masses of spongy moth caterpillars.

SCSU Team Finds Ozone Treatment to Manage Stored-Product Pests (USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture)

South Carolina State University researchers have found that ozone treatment could be an alternative for managing all life stages of select stored-product insect pests. Hence, there could be a reduction in the use of other chemicals and, therefore, a reduction in the environmental and health issues associated with these chemicals.

Pesticides

Court sends EPA back to work on glyphosate cancer finding (POLITICO Pro GREENWIRE | June 16, 2022)

A federal appeals court scrapped a 2020 EPA finding on the human health impacts of a chemical at the center of a pending Supreme Court petition on cancer risk from the popular Roundup weedkiller. The opinion sends EPA back to work on its decision that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, does not present “any reasonable risk to man or the environment.”

EPA Finalizes Biological Evaluations Assessing Potential Effects of Three Neonicotinoid Pesticides on Endangered Species (United State Environmental Protection Agency | June 16, 2022)

EPA has released its final biological evaluations (BEs) for clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam, part of a group of insecticides known as neonicotinoids, and its responses to comments received on the draft BEs. These neonicotinoids are used on a variety of crops, turf, and ornamentals, and for other residential and commercial indoor and outdoor uses.

Research

Managing Biological Invasions is Key with Global Change (Northeast Regional Invasive Species & Climate Change Network | May 27, 2022)

Lopez, B.E., J. M. Allen, J.S. Dukes, J. Lenoir, M. Vilà , D.M. Blumenthal, E.M. Beaury, E.J. Fusco, B.B. Laginhas, T.L. Morelli , M.W. O’Neill, C.J.B. Sorte, A. Maceda-Veiga, R. Whitlock, B.A. Bradley

Webinars, Seminars, Meetings, and More

7th Annual Invasive Species Mapping Challenge (NY iMapInvasives)

Runs throughout July 2022; kickoff webinar Wednesday, June 29, at 1:00 p.m. (registration required)

During the month of July, we challenge you to submit reports to iMap for our selected focal species to help fill data gaps and compete to win. The observers with the most records (including not-detected reports) for each species will win a prize.

What’s Bugging You? First Friday Events (New York State IPM Program)

Fridays | 12:00 pm. – 12:30 p.m. EDT | Zoom | Free; registration required

The first Friday of each month, spend half an hour over lunch learning about practical solutions for pest problems with the New York State IPM Program. Each presentation will end with an IPM Minute.

Register to attend these monthly events. Submit photos of how you are implementing IPM to the “IPM and You Photo Contest.”

Recordings of past presentations are also available.

Next event: July 1

The July event will be offered in both English (12:00 – 12:30 p.m.) and Spanish (12:30 – 1:00 p.m.).

English

  • July 1, 2022: Identification of common garden tomato diseases (IPM Minute: Tips to avoid damage by the squash vine borer)

Spanish

Other upcoming First Friday Events:

  • August 5, 2022: Feature Presentation: Do's and Don'ts for ladybugs in the garden (IPM Minute: Risks associated with pest control home remedies)
  • September 2, 2022: Tackling white grubs in your lawn: scouting, decision-making, and sustainable management (IPM Minute: Shoo flies, don't bother me!)
  • October 7, 2022: Fall lawn IPM: managing leaves and ticks (IPM Minute: Is that a praying mantis egg case?)
  • November 4, 2022: Repellents, fencing, and other IPM approaches for managing deer damage (IPM Minute: Where you chuck your pumpkins matters)
  • December 2, 2022: Homeowner update on emerald ash borer management (IPM Minute: Creepy crawly Christmas - what to do if you find insects in your Christmas tree)

tHRIVe web series (Horticultural Research Institute)

Free and open to the public, registration required. Times listed are Eastern Time.

  • August 23, 2022 | 11:00 a.m.: Building a Better Monarch Butterfly Garden
  • September 7, 2022 | 1:00 p.m.: How do weather and climate impact boxwood blight? A modeling approach to aiding in boxwood disease management
  • October 4, 2022 | 10:00 a.m.: Controlling Nostoc, a slippery hazard for nursery workers
  • November 3, 2022 | 11:00 a.m.: Smart Plants—Magical interactions between flowers and their pollinators

Airblast Sprayer Calibration Workshops (Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture)

$20 per farm. Registration required. Both events 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

University of New Hampshire Extension field specialist emeritus George Hamilton will demonstrate the importance of calibrating air blast sprayers and the best techniques for doing so. Proper calibration will ensure effective, efficient, economical, and legal spraying. Inadequate spray coverage is usually the cause of poor spray efficacy and additional spray applications. Overuse of some sprays results in unhealthy residues and can lead to fines.

  • Wednesday, June 29, 2022 | Whitecliff Vineyard, 331 McKinstry Road, Gardiner, NY 12525
  • Thursday, June 30, 2022 | Rulf's Orchard, 531 Bear Swamp Road, Peru, NY 12972

Weed Management and Soil Health Field Day (Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture)

July 20 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | The Don G Orchard Block, 333 Route 22B, Peru, NY 12972 | Free; registration required

Join us for a discussion of orchard weed and soil management! Speakers will be joining us from across Cornell’s research and extension teams. Topics will include the results of our herbicide timing trials, new vision-guided technologies for orchard weed spraying, organic weed management options, soil health demonstrations, and a discussion on our statewide orchard soil health survey. DEC credits are pending for this event.

2022 Industry Technology Session (The IR-4 Project)

Thursday, July 21, 2022 | Zoom | Free; registration required

This annual event gives companies the opportunity to present updates on products already in IR-4 research, as well as new technologies designed to assist specialty crop growers with their pest management needs. The session is a precursor to the 2022 Food Use Workshop. Technologies discussed during the session will be eligible for IR-4 research in 2023.

Requests to be a presenter at the session must be submitted via e-mail by July 1. See event announcement page for more information.

Tools and Tactics for Soil and Weed Management in Vegetable Production (Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences School of Integrative Plant Science)

July 25, 2022 | Cornell Organic Research Farm, 133 Fall Creek Rd, Freeville, NY | Free and open to public; pre-registration preferred but walk-ins welcome

Come to the Cornell Organic Research Farm in Freeville to get updates on the latest research in weed management, cover crops, and reduced tillage, and interact with researchers and other farmers. Learn about methods that help production while improving soil health and making your farm more climate resilient. Topics will include: new weed control technologies, weeds and climate change, long-term effects of tarping, soil health across different cropping systems, comparison of different mulch types, and cover crop breeding.

Snacks and dinner will be provided. Please register by July 15 to help ensure there is enough food.

Employment Opportunities

Urban Agriculture Specialist (UMass Extension)

UMass Extension is excited to add some dedicated capacity in the important and growing area of urban agriculture with the hiring of an extension educator to be based at the Mt. Ida campus in Newton, MA. We hope to develop a great pool of candidates who are capable of integrating well with others in extension while developing and maintaining strong relationships with urban ag practitioners and organizations in Greater Boston and beyond.

Open until filled, but we encourage potential candidates to complete their application by July 5 to be considered in the first applicant review round.

IPM Entomology Farm Advisor (University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR))

Position located in Salinas, Monterey County, CA

The IPM entomology farm advisor will implement an innovative extension education and applied research program to address pest management issues facing agriculture. Research and extension will address high-priority issues related to ecologically and economically sound IPM programs. Emphasis is expected to be on interdisciplinary projects that affect cool-season vegetables including leafy greens, such as lettuce, and cole crops, such as broccoli, along with other crops including strawberries and other berries, ornamental and nursery plant production, and local specialty crops.

Closing date: July 13.

Extension State Specialist, Dairy Production (University of New Hampshire Extension)

UNH Extension is seeking applicants for the position of extension state specialist in dairy production. This individual will deliver research-based programming and technical expertise to dairy farms of all sizes and production models throughout the state to enhance sustainability and viability. This is a 100% extension appointment based primarily in Boscawen, NH, with additional office space in the Keener Dairy Research building on UNH’s Durham campus. MS or PhD in a relevant agricultural field with coursework in dairy science required, as well as at least three years’ experience working within the dairy industry. Contact UNH Extension Food and Agriculture Program team leader Amy Papineau at 603-272-6497 or amy.papineau@unh.edu.

Open until filled.

Extension State Specialist, Soil Health (University of New Hampshire Extension)

Position based at University of New Hampshire's Durham campus.

The extension state specialist in soil health provides statewide leadership in soil health and fertility in agricultural systems. Beginning in the second year of employment, state specialists must generate 25% of annual salary from external grants and contracts. The specialist will oversee the UNH Soil Testing Service, engage with the Northeast Soil Testing Committee (NECC-1812), and collaborate with faculty, extension specialists, and agricultural stakeholders to lead and support outreach efforts as part of a team that is working to develop and implement innovative, relevant, and impactful programming in the fields of soil health, nutrient management, and environmental quality.

Open until filled.

Extension State Specialist, Entomology and Integrated Pest Management (University of New Hampshire Extension)

Position based at University of New Hampshire's Durham campus.

The extension state specialist in entomology and IPM provides statewide leadership in agricultural IPM, undertaking engaged outreach as the state’s IPM coordinator and serving as project director on extension's federally funded IPM Extension Implementation Plan. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position based at the University of New Hampshire’s Durham, NH, campus. It is a non-tenure-track, 100% extension appointment.

Principal Plant Pathologist (IR-4 Project | NC State University | Raleigh, NC)

The IR-4 Project is accepting applications for a principal plant pathologist to join the headquarters team at NC State University. As part of IR-4’s research unit, this role will manage the technical handling of new requests for assistance for products that manage bacterial and fungal pests. The position will also manage IR-4’s national product performance and integrated solutions research efforts with fungicides and nematicides, while providing support for IR-4’s residue research program. Ideal candidates will have an advanced degree in plant pathology and at least three years of full-time professional experience in applied research in plant pathology.

Open until filled.

USGS Fellow, Climate Change and Invasive Species Research Prioritization (U.S. Department of the Interior)

The Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC) Management network aims to reduce the compounding effects of invasive species and climate change by synthesizing relevant science, communicating the needs of managers to researchers, building stronger scientist-manager communities, and conducting priority research. The RISCC Management network, in collaboration with the National Invasive Species Council, is seeking a Fellow to conduct research at the intersection of climate science and invasive species management to contribute to prioritizing management action in the face of climate change across the U.S. As a member of the RISCC network, the Fellow will collaborate in stakeholder-driven research and engage in actionable science and science communication that serves the network.

Application deadline August 1, 2022, 3:00 p.m. EST

Funding Opportunities

Call for Research Proposals 2022 (The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF))

TACF is pleased to announce its 2022 request for research proposals. We will entertain any proposal concerned with the myriad of aspects involved in chestnut restoration that address our core mission to return the iconic American chestnut to its native range. This is a small grants program. TACF does not ordinarily fund projects in excess of $10,000.

Proposals must be sent via email attachment to externalgrants@acf.org by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1, 2022.

Call for Preproposals (Northeast SARE)

Northeast SARE is accepting preproposals for three programs: Research and Education ($30 - $250k), Research for Novel Approaches ($30k - $200k), and Professional Development ($30k - $150k)

Interested in learning what it takes to write a successful preproposal? Northeast SARE will host an informational webinar at noon on June 23, 2022. Register.

Preproposals due by August 2, 2022.