Research by Faculty
Dr. J.K. Barnes
Specific Areas of Research:
The Arkansas arthropod fauna
Natural history of rare and endangered habitats
History of entomology and natural history
Biology and systematics of Diptera (the two-winged flies)
European Hornet
University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum
Dr. J.L. Bernhardt
Specific Areas of Research:
Biology, ecology, and management of rice insect pests.Primary pests are the rice stink bug and the rice water weevil.
Current research is in testing insecticides for control of the rice water weevil, grape colaspis, and stalk borer in different production systems.
In support of the rice breeding program rice lines are evaluated annually for susceptibility to discolored kernels, especially discolorations by rice stink bug damage.
Also, research has begun into the ecology of the rice stalk borer and grape colaspis, and injury potential of aphids and armyworms on rice.
Dr. F.L. Goggin
Specific Areas of Research:
The molecular and physiological mode of action of Mi-1.2, a resistance gene (R gene) in tomato that confers resistance against root-knot nematodes, aphids, whiteflies and psyllids.
The impact of the jasmonate-, ethylene-, and salicylate-dependent signaling pathways on plant-aphid interactions in tomato and other plant species.
Variation among aphid populations in their responses to host plant resistance and their ability to induce symptom development in their host plants.
Dr. J.K. Greene
Specific Areas of Research:
Development of monitoring methods and damage thresholds for phytophagous pentatomid and mirid pests in cotton
Evaluation of new chemistries and bio-control strategies for the bug complex, and collaboration with researchers on other potential methods of detecting pentatomids.
Future interests include investigations into control strategies for other emerging “post-weevil-eradication” pests
Dr. D.T. Johnson
Specific Areas of Research:
2005, Arkansas Rice Promotion Board grant: Dr. John Bernhardt (Rice Research and ExtensionCenter) and Dr. Rolfe Bryant (DaleBumpers National RiceResearchCenter) on rice stink bugs. ISweep net sampling captured more rice stink bug at 9am and 7pm than at 1:30 pm....
2004-1005, Southern Region SARE Grant - "The Southern Region Organic Fruit Production Initiative: Identifying barriers, needed research, markets, and opportunities" and Southern Region IPM Center grant - "Development of Southern Region IPM Organic Tree Fruit Working Group":
2005, USDA-CSREES/MAP-Armenia + University of Arkansas grant for a Diversified IPM Program and gran-in-aid from Novartis Consumer Health/Gerber Products Co. and Entosect Ltd., UK: - Dr. Karen Underwood (Exosect Ltd., UK), Dr. Anzhela Azizyan (Institute of Zoology of Armenian National Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia), Ed Gay (fruit grower in Springdale, AR) and John Aselage (grower and Agriculture Research Coordinator, Novartis Consumer Health/Gerber Products Co.) collaborated on alternative PM programs for fruit pests using: pheromone + kairomone-baited trap trees for concentrating attack by plum curculio, studied efficacy of Cyd-X granulosis virus against codling moth and Xentari (Bt) against Oriental fruit moth, efficacy studies of a new mating disruption system (Exosex dispensers) against grape vine berry moth in Armenia and grape berry moth, codling moth and Oriental fruit moth in Arkansas.
2005, IR-4 Minor Use Pesticides Grant Program: We tested several new chemistry insecticides against raspberry crown borer, stink bugs and thrips on blackberry and reported to IR4. Also, attended the IR4 Workshop in Orlando, FL in September where I participated in categorizing various insecticide and commodities for funding, e.g., A (high priority), B (possibility for funding) or C (no funding).
Dr. T.J. Kring
Specific Areas of Research:
Importation and establishment of Ichneumon promissorius, an Australian parasite of corn earworm and tobacco budworm pupae.
Evaluation of the impact of generalist predators in selected row-crop systems, particularly cotton and wheat.
Evaluate the impact of newer cotton insecticides on beneficial insects and to develop strategies for their effective use while minimizing their disruption of natural enemy populations.
Evaluation of natural enemy efficacy and increased utilization of selected parasites and predators in IPM programs.
Evaluation of strategies to control the aphid vectors of barley yellow dwarf virus in wheat.
Development of IPM systems for management of Hessian fly in wheat using cultural (planting date, resistant varieties) and chemical control.
Evaluation of advanced lines of tall fescue (containing specific endoyphyes) for aphid resistance.
Dr. G.M. Lorenz
Specific Areas of Research:
Applied research in major row crops related to development and implementation of IPM, evaluation of new and current technology for insect control.
Dr. R.G. Luttrell
Specific Areas of Research:
Population Management of Field Crop Insects
Pest Management Decisions and Economic Entomology
Insecticide Resistance
Dr. P.J. McLeod
Specific Areas of Research:
Development of an IPM program for green peach aphid in spinach.
Refinement and implementation of an IPM program for managing corn earworm on snap bean.
Elucidation of the epidemiology of potyviruses in cucurbits.
Research on field corn insects.
For more information and publications click here.
Dr. M.V. Meisch
Specific Areas of Research:
Bionomics and control of riceland mosquitoes and black flies optimizing non-chemical approaches to integrated management programs.
Dr. C.D. Steelman
Specific Areas of Research:
Livestock
Quantification of horn fly blood meals collected from selected breeds of beef cattle. Research led by C. D. Steelman in cooperation with Dr. A. L. Szalanski, Department of Entomology and Dr. A. H. Brown Jr., Department of Animal Science and Roberts Angus Ranch, Green Forest, AR.
Determination of the heritability of cattle hair and its relationship with Innate horn fly resistance in beef cattle. Research led by C. D. Steelman in cooperation Dr. A. H. Brown, Jr.,Department of Animal Science and Roberts Ranch, Green Forest , AR.
Efficacy of using horn fly-resistant bulls to develop a horn fly resistant herd of cows. Cooperative Project with USDA,ARS,Knipling-Busland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, Kerrville, TX. And the Russell Ranch, Kerrville, TX.
Effect of horn flies on the beef cow and on the weaning weight of beef calves. Research led by C. D. Steelman in cooperation with Dr. A. H. Brown Jr., Department Animal Science.
Turkey Production
Determination of the Epidemiological significance of the house fly and other filth flies in the movement of Campylobacter jejuni into and among turkey flocks. Funded by USDA, CSREES, Food Safety Consortium. Research led by C. D. Steelman and A. L. Szalanski.
Dr. D.C. Steinkraus
Specific Areas of Research:
Conducted basis and applied research on epizootiology of fungal pathogens of cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii , on cotton;three cornered alfalfa hopper on soybean; and spinach aphid, Myzus persicae, on spinach.
Conducted field research on adjusted economic thresholds for Helicoverpa zea on soybean, grain sorghum, and cotton when Bacillus thuringiensis or Heliothis nuclear polyhedrosis virus are used as control agents.
Conducted research on causes of pupal attrition in H. zea pupae in corn.
Studied diplogasterid nematode, Chroniodiplogaster aerivora , found infecting H. zea pupae in corn.
Surveyed lesser mealworm populations for parasitic protozoa.
Described new species of pyemotid mite parasitizing eggs of tenebrionids.
Conducted basic and applied research on fungal pathogens of house flies, mosquitoes and litter beetles.
Involveded in research on management of litter beetles in poultry houses.
Dr. F.M. Stephen
Specific Areas of Research:
Red Oak Borer: Population dynamics, distribution and geospatial analysis.
Southern Pine Beetle: Biological control through enhancement of parasitoid effectiveness.
Southern Pine Beetle: Population and infestation growth modeling.
Gypsy Moth: Effects of Bt eradication sprays on nontarget canopy arthropods and their bird predators.
Dr. A.L. Szalanski
Specific Areas of Research:
Genetic variation and molecular diagnostics of economically important termites.
Molecular diagnostics of pathogens carried by filth flies.
Efficacy of insecticides for controlling insects in the urban environment.
Population genetics of Aedes vexans.
Dr. T. G. Teague
Integrated Pest Management Tactics for Insect Pests of Mid-South Cotton