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. This research is underway in fruit, field crops, and biofuel cropping systems. For more on our native plants and pollinators work, click here
Our 2011 team at the summer barbecue
Information for fruit growers
New! Spotted Wing Drosophila information is available here
New! Brown Marmorated Stink Bug information is available here
Our recent presentations at grower meetings
The MSU Grape Website
The MSU Blueberry Website
Extension Updates at MSUE News for Agriculture
New! Brett and Rufus have a new review on Manipulating Natural Enemies, just published in an online IPM textbook. For a copy click here
Other projects
We are investigating the implications of biofuel policies for pollinators, as part of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. This project is comparing different biofuel crop types for their effect on native bees, as well as exploring landscape-level effects on these responses. The first report from this research is available here.