Research

Research Interests

My research interests fall within the realm of insect-microbial interactions with plants, insect molecular ecology, and the role that the environment plays on these interactions. My studies focus on major emerging insect pests on crops such as potatoes, cereals, alfalfa, corn, and other crop specialty crops. 

Current Research

Current research projects include: 

Effect of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) (or mycoinsecticides) on insect pests of field crops. 

We are currently assessing the effect of EPF (commercial products) of aphids on potatoes 

We are also using similar products to test their effect on seed corn maggot on sweet corn. 

Area-wide monitoring of major potato pests on commercial potato fields in eastern Oregon.
This a long-term project that ...monitors potato pests in the Umatilla and Morrow Counties of Oregon on a weekly basis. Insect pests included in this project are:

 potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae), 

green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), 

potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella), 

beet leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus), 

potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli), 

Lygus bugs, 

Other aphids, other leafhoppers, and other psyllids. 

Weekly data from this study are shared in the Crop Update Newsletter. There's also an interactive map available here