We study the biology and management of insects in berry crops. Members of our lab are currently working on pest phenology, pheromone mating disruption, pollination, biological control, and selective insecticide evaluations, all with insects found in berry crops. Our extension program provides growers with practical information to make decisions about insect management, to improve their productivity, profit, and environmental safety.
Pollination is critical for production of most berry crops, and we are investigating the ecology and management of pollinators and their economic value. We are also exploring the interactions between landscape structure and beneficial insects, both natural enemies and pollinators, in Michigan farmland. For more on our native plants and pollinators work, click here.
The lab's work is supported by USDA, EPA, NFWF, MAES, MSU Extension, Michigan commodity groups, and now also by the GLBRC.
Isaacs lab in the news
Bees and Bioenergy? See our new paper in BioEnergy Research on implications of different biofuel crops for beneficial insects, including bees. [click for a PDF copy].
The MSU press release about this study is available [here]. This research was funded in part by the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.
Our 2009 review in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment - Native plants to provide ecosystem services from insects
American Fruit Grower article - SPLAT for grape berry moth
MSU President's Report video about MSU pollinator research
Timely pest management information for fruit growers
Latest Grape IPM Scouting Report
Latest Blueberry IPM Newsletter
Weekly CAT Alerts from the MSU Fruit Team