UACES Facebook Insect Pest Management Research - Graduate and undergraduate research jobs in pest management
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Row Crop Insect Research in Arkansas

Southeast Research and Extension Center

The overall objective of our research program is to develop and improve insect pest management practices for row crops in southeast Arkansas. Selected ongoing projects are outlined below.

enlarged photo of a group of winged and wingless sugarcane aphids

Sugarcane aphid in grain sorghum

The sugarcane aphid, which can be a devastating pest of grain sorghum, was found infesting sorghum in Arkansas in 2014. While it has been present in the U.S. for some time as a pest of sugarcane, it has only been documented in sorghum at economically damaging levels in the U.S. since 2013. Little information is available on the best management practices for this insect in sorghum, and most of the insecticides labeled for use in sorghum are ineffective. We are collaborating with other researchers in Arkansas and throughout the affected region to develop management recommendations for sugarcane aphid. Early efforts will focus on developing an economic threshold, evaluating insecticides and application methods for chemical control, and determining the impact of cultural practices such as planting date and variety on sugarcane aphid populations.

Photo: Winged and wingless sugarcane aphids on the underside of a sorghum leaf

Opportunities for Entomology Students

  • Graduate Student Opportunities

    Opportunities to pursue a graduate degree in entomology through the University of Arkansas Department of Entomology are periodically available. Coursework would be taken through the University of Arkansas main campus at Fayetteville. Prospective students should send a copy of their C.V. and a brief statement of research interests and career goals to Ben Thrash (bthrash@uada.edu). For more information on the University of Arkansas Department of Entomology and its graduate programs, please visit http://entomology.uark.edu.

  • Undergraduate Student Opportunities

    The entomology program at the Southeast Research and Extension Center hires seasonal, hourly workers in the summer to assist with field research activities, including plot maintenance and data collection. Priority is given to students in the University of Arkansas at Monticello School of Agriculture, but any interested students are encouraged to apply. Please contact Ben Thrash (bthrash@uada.edu)  for more information.

 

Selected Publications

 Stubbins, F. L., N. J. Seiter, J. K. Greene, and F.P.F. Reay-Jones. 2014. Developing sampling plans for the invasive Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in soybean. J. Econ. Entomol. 107: 2213-2221.

Seiter, N. J., A. Grabke, J. K. Greene, J. L. Kerrigan, and F.P.F. Reay-Jones. 2014. Beauveria bassiana is a pathogen of Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in South Carolina. J. Entomol. Sci. 49: 326-330.

Seiter, N. J., F.P.F. Reay-Jones, and J. K. Greene. 2013. Within-field spatial distribution of Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in soybean. Environ. Entomol. 42: 1363-1374.

Seiter, N. J., J. K. Greene, and F.P.F. Reay-Jones. 2013. Reduction of soybean yield components by Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 1676-1683.

Seiter, N. J., D. S. Richmond, J. D. Holland, and C. H. Krupke. 2010. A novel method for estimating soybean herbivory in western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 1464-1473.

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