UMass Amherst: Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences

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		Department Research & Extension Specialties
		Topics		Specialists
		Baculovirus Expression Systems & Insect Cell Culture The use of insect cells and baculoviruses for the high level expression of proteins has both commercial and research applications. We have modern facilities and state of the art reagents for the construction of baculovirus expression vectors and expression of foreign gene products.		John Burand
		Biological Control Biological control is the use of natural enemies to suppress pests. Invasive pests can sometimes be permanently controlled by introducing specialized natural enemies from the pest's native range. This is called classical biological control. Repeated releases of natural enemies reared in insectaries can also control pests. This approach is called augmentative biological control and is used in flower and vegetable crops in greenhouses.		Ruth Hazzard, Roy Van Driesche, Patricia Vittum
		Biorational Insecticides Biorational insecticides are insecticides that are made from natural products, such as the toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis, or neem, made from the neem tree.		Ruth Hazzard
		Chemical Control of Insects The use of naturally occurring and synthetic insecticides for controlling insect pests; this includes the type of insecticide, its mode of action and formulation, and on which crops it is registered for use.		Ruth Hazzard, Adam Porter
		Computer Simulation Some biological problems occur on space or time scales that are too large to be studied easily. Simulation of these systems on the computer allows us to quickly study diverse aspects of insect biology with sufficient replication.		Adam Porter
		Cranberry Insects Biology and management studies on the diverse array of pests and natural enemies found in the unique cranberry bog habitat		Anne Averill
		Dynamics of Insect Outbreaks Most insects remain at low density, but a few species, such as gypsy moth, occasionally erupt into spectacular outbreaks that cause widespread damage. I have I have helped unravel why this occurs for gypsy moth and have contributed to the general theory as to why some insects experience outbreaks.		Joseph Elkinton
		Eco-labeling Consumers are increasingly looking for products and services which are environmentally sustainable.		William Coli, Craig Hollingsworth,

		Evolutionary Genetics Evolution is the accumulation of genetic changes within and among populations. We study the core principles of evolutionary change, especially the processes of gene flow and adaptation, to solve basic and applied problems. Indeed, to understand and ultimately manage the rise and spread of resistance to pest-control measures, and the expansion of insects onto new hosts, we need to understand the evolutionary process well enough to manage it.		Norman Johnson, Benjamin Normark, Adam Porter
		Evolution of Development Evolution acts on the phenotypes of individuals, and phenotypes are created via the process of development. We are interested in the evolutionary genetics of regulatory gene interactions that occur during development. These gene interactions are likely to play a significant role in the evolution of adaptations, and because they can lead directly to the genetic incompatibilities often seen in interspecific hybrids, the formation of new species.		Norman Johnson, Adam Porter
		Feeding Behavior of Flies Investigating the physiological mechanisms controlling ingestion and cessation of intake.		John Stoffolano
		Forest Entomology The study of the ecology and management of insects that feed on trees both in forests and in urban/suburban habitats. In addition to my gypsy moth research, I have current research projects on browntail moth and hemlock wooly adelgid.		Joseph Elkinton
		Plant Genetic Engineering/Biotechnology Genetic alteration of plants for resistance to phtyopathological or insect pests or environmental/chemical hazards, for phytoremediation of soil contaminants, or for improvement of shelf-life, nutritional or asthetic values.		Om Parkash
		Genetics and Ecology of Species Boundaries Many insects hybridize where their geographic boundaries abut, but still maintain their differences without blending. Some, such as Colias butterflies, do this while in widespread sympatry. How much of the genome is being shared and how much is blending, in these situations?		Adam Porter
		Greenhouse Floriculture Pests The Green Industry is the most vibrant sector of Massachusetts agriculture. Greenhouse operations in particular support many families whose businesses produce a variety of flowers, bedding plants and vegetables. Pests of greenhouse floriculture crops (whiteflies, thrips, mites, aphids, others) require creative control methods developed through research.		Roy Van Driesche
		Gypsy Moth Population Dynamics For many years the gypsy moth has been the most serious defoliator of forest trees in the eastern United States We now know the cause of gypsy moth outbreaks. . Research in my laboratory confirms earlier hypotheses concerning the key role played by small mammal predators, particularly the white-footed mouse, in keeping gypsy moth populations at low density during the many years between outbreaks in North America. We have shown that the entire system is linked to acorn crops, the major overwintering food of white-footed mice. Acorn crops fail on a regional scale due to weather events such as summer drought or late spring frost. Failure of the acorn crop leads to dramatic declines in mouse density and this in turn allows gypsy moth populations to enter outbreak phase. In 1989, however, a fungal pathogen of gypsy moth from Japan, Entomophaga maimaiga, appeared unexpectedly in North America and has since become a dominant source of mortality. It attacks both high- and low-density populations of gypsy moth and is especially prevalent in rainy years. Many incipient outbreaks of gypsy moth have been prevented by this new agent. My laboratory has helped unravel the ecology of this new pathogen.		Joseph Elkinton
		Honeybees Analyzing colony strength, diagnosing conditions within the hive, swarm removal, ipm-low or non-chemical approach to beekeeping in the Northeast, improving public awareness and acceptance of honeybees and appreciation of the role they play in the natural world. Also, marketing of honey products in a competitive marketplace.		David Noonan
		Insect and Spider Behavioral Ecology Basic and applied studies in diverse areas such as feeding, host finding, and mating		Anne Averill, David Ferro, Elizabeth Jakob, John Stoffolano, Patricia Vittum
		Insect Conservation Insects, like other forms of wildlife, are interesting in their own right and deserve to be protected and their habitats maintained. Research on threats to insects translates into management practices in the applied discipline of insect conservation. In the laboratory we have revealed that a parasitoid introduced to control gypsy moth has had a devastating impact on native silk moths, the largest and most beautiful of all our native Lepidoptera. Our findings illustrate the danger of introducing generalist predators or parasitoids as biological control agents.		Joseph Elkinton, Adam Porter, Roy Van Driesche
		Insect Genomics We are interested in developing high-resolution maps of insect genomes, to use in the study of the genetic basis of adaptations and their spread through populations, and between hybridizing species		Adam Porter
		Insect/Pathogen Interactions Pathogenic organisms including viruses, bacteria, microsporidia and fungi are important natural enemies of many insects. They play a key role in preventing some species from entering outbreak phase or causing the collapse of outbreak populations. My laboratory has contributed to the general theory of host-pathogen ecology and unraveled the intricacies of transmission and persistence of two major pathogens of gypsy moth.		Joseph Elkinton
		Insect Physiology/Endocrinology Investigating the basic mechanisms regulating the various systems, with focus on reproductive, nutrition, neural and endocrine systems.
		Insect Population Ecology the science of what determines the typical abundance of insect species and how that abundance varies in time and space. All projects in my laboratory fall with the rubric of this discipline.		Joseph Elkinton, Adam Porter, Patricia Vittum
		Insect Viruses Insect pathogenic viruses offer an alternative to chemical insecticides. The study of the molecular biology of these viruses and their interactions with the host will provide important information that can be used for the control of specific insect pest targets.		John Burand
		Insects in the K-12 Classroom Teaching teachers, and would be teachers, how to use insects as vehicles to teach children science process skills.		John Stoffolano
		Insects of Shade Trees and Woody Ornamentals The identification of those insects and mites pests that are injurious to shade trees and woody ornamentals in the Northeast. Utilizes the foundations of IPM and PHC in recommending management strategies.		Robert Childs
		Integrated Pest Management (IPM) The combined use of different pest control tools is the most effective and environmentally sound means to solving pest problems.		Anne Averill, William Coli, Ruth Hazzard, Craig Hollingsworth, Roy Van Driesche, Patricia Vittum
		IPM Certification Combining the concepts of eco-labeling and measurement of IPM adoption provides ameans to encourage the public to encourage IPM adoption		William Coli, Ruth Hazzard, Craig Hollingsworth
		Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Plant Health Care (PHC) The identification of those insects and mites pests that are injurious to shade trees and woody ornamentals in the Northeast. Utilizes the foundations of IPM and PHC in recommending management strategies.		Robert Childs
		Invasive Species Non-native species invasions pose significant threats both to natural systems and to agriculture. Study of their impacts and means to control them are the heart of the new field of invasion biology.		Joseph Elkinton , Roy Van Driesche,
		Lepidopteran Biology Moths and butterflies (the Lepidoptera) are of special interest to many natural history enthusiasts. Projects to better understand this group may occur at the population level (control of numbers, threats), higher taxonomic levels (hybridization) or community levels (biodiversity).		J oseph Elkinton, Ruth Hazzard, Adam Porter, Roy Van Driesche
		Mathematical and Statistical Modeling When a lot of factors might be simultaneously affecting a biological process, it can be difficult to think clearly about what the actual outcome might be. Studying the problem mathematically helps to sort out the roles of these competing factors, and to identify the most important ones to go out and measure. By including a bit of statistical modeling into the mix, it becomes possible to figure out the extent to which the measurements are affected by random chance, and therefore how accurate the conclusions are.		Adam Porter
		Mating Behavior of Flies Understanding the physiological mechanisms controlling mating behavior in flies, especially in the blowfly, Phormia regina.		John Stoffolano
		Measurement of IPM Adoption Measuring the adoption of IPM practices allows us to track progress of our extension IPM projects.		William Coli, Ruth Hazzard, Craig Hollingsworth

		Pesticide Application Technology Investigating the effect of pesticide application technology (e.g., conventional booms, skirted prayers and sub-surface options) on efficacy and on pesticide movement.		Patricia Vittum
		Reproductive Biology of Flies Investigating the physiological mechanisms controlling egg development, especially in the blowfly, Phormia regina.		John Stoffolano
		Saltmarsh Tabanid Biology Life history and ecology of the coastal salt marsh tabanid, Tabanus nigrovittatus.		John Stoffolano
		Spiders		Elizabeth Jakob
		Systematics is the study of the evolutionary relationships of living organisms and the history of their diversification. Systematics is being revolutionized by new methodologies, computing power, and molecular sequence data.		Benjamin Normark, Adam Porter
		Tree Fruit Insects Insect pests of tree fruit.		William Coli
		Turfgrass Insects Studying the ecology and management of a variety of turfgrass insects common the northeastern United States.		Patricia Vittum
		Vegetable Entomology is the study of insect pests of vegetable crops, ranging from asparagus to zucchini. Investigating the biology, ecology and management of insect pests of vegetable crops in the Northeast.		Ruth Hazzard

Department Research & Extension Specialties