IPM News and Events Roundup 8/5/2022

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 Jerrie Haines at jlh472@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

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 those 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

Spotted Lanternfly Outreach

Spotted Lantern Fly in Vineyards (Penn State Extension)

This article provides identification, damage, quarantine, and management information for the spotted lanternfly, an invasive sap-feeding planthopper that feeds on the vine trunk, shoots, and leaves of grape plants, among other crops.

To help in the tracking of SLF in NYS, we are looking for dates of first observed egg masses this summer or fall.  If/when you find an egg mass, please send a quick email to dlo6@cornell.edu with date of detection and location (lat,lon). I need to validate and adjust the new SLF tracking model available here https://newa.cornell.edu/spotted-lanternfly which is based on 2021 published research.

Helpful links:

SLF pest alert

Report SLF sighting in NYS

New York State Integrated Pest Management

NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

Have you seen a SLF check sheet

SLF Management Calendar

Other News

As Climate Warms Invasive Species Damage Expected to get Worse (USA TODAY | July 30, 2022)

Frogs, lizards and other amphibians and reptiles living in places they don't belong cost the world at least $17 billion between 1986 and 2020, a group of international researchers concluded in a new study. But the true cost of these invasive species is much greater, said authors of the paper published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Fly's and Roaches not likely to Spread Covid-19 (PCT Online | August 1, 2022)

Insects like biting flies and cockroaches are not likely to spread the agent of COVID-19 to humans, according to a recently published article by Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists.

McDonald's Breakfast Worth Spreading Foot and Mouth Disease? (CBS NEWS | August 1, 2022)

A traveler arriving in Australia from Indonesia has been hit with a fine of almost $2,000 after Biosecurity detector dog Zinta sniffed out the egg-and-meat contraband at Darwin Airport, prompting the fine.

One of the Best Ways to Prepare for Climate Change, Confronting Invasive Species (UMass Amherst | June 1, 2022)

New research, recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, finds that the ecological effect of invasive species alone is comparable to the combined effects of invasives plus warming temperatures, drought, or nitrogen deposition. This suggests that a critical preparation for climate change is to manage invasive species at the local level.

Summer of 2022 - Spongy Moth Update (Penn State Extension | June 25, 2022)

2022 is the second successive year when populations of Lymantria dispar, or spongy moth (formerly "gypsy moth"), are high in many parts of Pennsylvania

Eat Your Carrots, Just not This One (Maryland Invasive Species Council | July 27, 2022)

To those who are familiar with the Apiaceae family, these plants contain carrots, parsley, dill, and many others but not all are edible. Enter Conium maculatum, also known as Poison Hemlock and commonly named this for good reason, is also part of the Apiaceae family, a biennial growing 6 to 10 feet in height with small white flowers in clusters along ditches, bordering pastures and croplands, and roadsides with a bad musty odor.

Don't Jump to Conclusions about the Asian Jumping Seed (Maryland Invasive Species Council | July 19, 2022)

Asian jumpseed cultivars are often sold or traded as plants native to Maryland. Plant enthusiasts frequently mistake this foreign interloper for a native due to a history of taxonomic confusion in the genus generally, but with our native Virginia knotweed specifically.

Weed Zapping (Morning Ag | August 2, 2022)

Do electrocution treatments have a place in weed control?

Scouting Small Grains Diseases for Improved Fungicide Decisions (Penn State Extension)

Deciding to apply or not to apply fungicides in your small grain crops should be on your to-do list each growing season. Many production practices like no-till and corn-to-small grain rotations can increase the risk of fungal diseases in our small grains production systems. Nonetheless, before you decide to pull the trigger on spraying a fungicide, in-season integrated management of small grains diseases requires taking into consideration several important components

The Central Issue is out

Catch the latest news and updates from North Central United States

Be Aware of Invertebrate Pest Species That Do Well in Hot and Dry Conditions (Penn State Extension)

With the conditions being hot and dry this summer, we need to watch for leafhoppers, grasshopper, and spider mites to name a few. Dimethoate is preferred by many for managing spider mites, but it is good to realize that spider mite populations vary in their susceptibility to the toxin. Some populations are easily killed by the product whereas others are more difficult to manage. This variation has been recognized for some parts of the country for a while but may also apply to Pennsylvania.

The Trouble Maker of the Month - Asian Longhorn Tick (UMass Extension)

The Asian longhorned tick is an exotic, hard tick found in the United States in 2017. Genetic analysis shows it has likely been introduced into the country on three separate occasions. Since its initial discovery in 2017, it has undergone a rapid range expansion and has been found in at least 17 states, including New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Make no mistake: If it isn’t in Massachusetts already, this tick is on our doorstep.

Sunflower Power and Bee Health (Adler Lab | UMass Amherst)

Native bee populations are declining due to habitat loss, disease, pesticides, and climate change. We also point out that the most effective way to help bees is to establish habitat; that is, maintain flowering plants for bees to eat and leave undisturbed areas for them to nest. 

Farmer to Farmer Case Studies (Penn State Extension)

Six videos featuring two certified organic and one transitioning farms provide farmer perspectives and approaches to managing soil health.

Webinars, Seminars, Meetings, and More

University of Connecticut Hosting Biological Control Conference

University of Connecticut Extension is hosting a one-day Greenhouse Biological Control Conference on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, at the Jones Auditorium, The Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station in New Haven, CT.

Pre-registration is required

Survey for Professionals Concerning Invasive Species

You may participate in this study only if you are a professional at a plant nursery that sells ornamental plants and/or seeds. 

Researchers at the UMass, Amherst are conducting a study on the knowledge and practices of professionals in the ornamental plant nursery trade. The purpose of this study is to better understand the knowledge and practices of professionals with respect to invasive species and climate change. This is the final week to participate in this study, which will close next Wednesday, August 10th, 2022! 

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.

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)

Nematode Field Day (University of Delaware)

Thursday, August 18, 2022 3:00-6:00 p.m. University of Delaware

Carvel Research & Education Center 16483 County Seat Hwy, Georgetown, DE

Interested in learning more about nematodes? This field day will cover nematodes of concern in agronomic and vegetable crops, highlight ongoing research, and end with a boxed dinner. Details on registration coming soon!

tHRIVe web series (Horticultural Research Institute)

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

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

UMass Extension’s Green School (UMass Extension)

October 25, 2022 – December 15, 2022 | 3 hours (plus break) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons | $900 early bird, $1,025 regular, scholarships available

A comprehensive 60-plus-hour-certificate short course that offers fundamental horticultural training in a compact time frame. The program is designed for professional practitioners such as landscapers, lawn care providers, nursery operators, sports field managers, public and private grounds managers, arborists, professional gardeners, landscape and garden designers, and others in the green industries. Both experienced professionals and those aspiring to be will benefit from this course.

Registration deadline October 18. For early-bird tuition rate, register by September 15.

Foundations of Invasive Species Management Certificate Course

The Foundations of Invasive Species (FIS) Management Certificate Course is an asynchronous, professional, online course that was created to provide you with a well-rounded basis in invasive species management. Experts from the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) have carefully curated this content just for you!

Fee Associated

The 2022 Food Use Workshop (Bloomington, Minnesota)

The 2022 Food Use Workshop will take place September 13 – 15 in Bloomington, Minnesota. Research priorities for residue, product performance, and integrated solutions studies for 2023 will be identified during this workshop.

Fee associated. Register by September 1, 2022

Employment Opportunities

Research Weed Scientist  (Department of Agriculture)

The incumbent is a Research Agronomist focused on weed management at the North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris, MN. The goal is to develop sustainable and resilient agricultural management strategies and cropping systems in northern climates through stewardship of Upper Midwest soil and air resources through regionally adapted management practices.

Application deadline August 15, 2022

Research Weed Agronomist (Department of Agriculture)

Research focused on managing the emerging threat of herbicide-resistant weeds in sugar beet with an emphasis on advanced technologies for weed identification and targeted applications that integrate multiple management tactics.

Application deadline August 15, 2022

Grape IPM Coordinator (New York State IPM Program)

  1. Announcement page: https://blogs.cornell.edu/nysipm/2022/07/01/grape-ipm-coordinator-position-opening/
  2. Application page: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/21986

As an innovative and experienced educator, you will expand knowledge and access to sustainable pest management practices in grape agroecosystems. You will work collaboratively, across disciplines, and with a variety of stakeholders, to develop, demonstrate, and guide IPM implementation efforts in grapes across New York State, the third-largest wine-producing state in the nation.

Application deadline September 1, 2022.

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

The UNH Extension state specialist in soil health provides statewide leadership in soil health and fertility in agricultural systems. 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. The specialist will oversee the UNH Soil Testing Service, maintaining and updating associated fertility recommendations. PhD in soil science, agronomy, or a related discipline with an emphasis in soil nutrient management, soil biology, or environmental soil chemistry in preferred. A strong candidate with an MS degree and extensive experience may be considered. Contact Extension Food & Agriculture Program team leader Amy Papineau (603-272-6497, amy.papineau@unh.edu).

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.

Open until filled.

Extension State Specialist, Plant Pathology (University of New Hampshire Extension)

The extension state specialist in plant pathology directs and operates all aspects of the UNH Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab, including diagnosis of plant health problems and communication of results, maintaining sample information and data, and supervising staff. The lab provides diagnostic services for plant health issues for commercial producers, home horticulturists, landscapers, turf managers, arborists, extension staff, state and regulatory agencies, and others, and is a member of the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN). This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position located on the University of New Hampshire’s Durham, NH, campus. It is a non-tenure track, 100% extension appointment. Contact Extension Food & Agriculture Program team leader Amy Papineau (603-272-6497, amy.papineau@unh.edu)

Open until filled.