Research Projects | Publications | Presentations | CV | People | Links

Research Interests
My current work focuses to resolve key entomological industry needs in the Pacific Northwest. Current focus areas include the study of mites in Oregon wine vineyards believed to be the cause of the short shoot syndrome. Further to this, I focus on Filbertworm, Filbert weevil, and aphids, all key pests in Hazelnut orchards, and also eriophyid mites on nursery crops. The aim of my work is to provide environmentally sustainable and minimal impact pest management strategies for agriculturalists in Oregon and further afield. This is done with knowledge obtained from detailed insect physiological, biological, behavioral, ecological and environmental studies. I have a strong focus to develop monitoring tools and determine economic and action thresholds. This knowledge is then used to apply treatments timed to occur during periods when pests are at their most vulnerable. I have knowledge and experience using alternative pest control methods including various modes of biological control, mating disruption and conventional synthetic pesticides. It is believed that use of a combination of these pest management strategies will minimize environmental impact and optimize sustainable agriculture.

In the past, my work focused on the development of an Integrated Control Program of Vine Mealybug, a cosmopolitan and invasive pest more recently along the grape-growing areas along the west coast of the USA. The invasive characteristics of VMB and pending future colonization into new areas in this region may require focus in my current position at Oregon State University. Based on developmental and environmental data, it is believed that this pest has the potential to colonize Oregon vineyards from surrounding grape-growing areas such as California and Washington. Further to this, there is evidence of vine leafroll virus infestation in isolated vineyards in Oregon, and a vector such as vine mealybug will aid in the spread of this virus if it manages to successfully colonize Oregon vineyards. It is well known that leafroll can play an important role in wine-grape quality, especially in cool-climate grape growing areas such as Oregon. For this reason it is of vital importance to assess the current infestation and risk status in order to set up protocols to limit spread of this invasive pest and its associated viruses.