Refining IPM programs
All the research and extension in the lab culminates in refining IPM programs to integrate novel technologies, new chemistries, sustainable management, and biology against our ever changing pest complex in fruit. Specifically the lab works in peaches, apples, and wine grapes. Our research has been funded by state, regional and federal programs such as USDA SCRI (Specialty Crop Initiative), NE SARE, USDA CPPM, and USDA OREI (Organic Research and Education Initiative).
All the research and extension in the lab culminates in refining IPM programs to integrate novel technologies, new chemistries, sustainable management, and biology against our ever changing pest complex in fruit. Specifically the lab works in peaches, apples, and wine grapes. Our research has been funded by state, regional and federal programs such as USDA SCRI (Specialty Crop Initiative), NE SARE, USDA CPPM, and USDA OREI (Organic Research and Education Initiative).
- T Lampasona, C Rodriguez-Saona, TC Leskey, AL Nielsen. 2020 A review of the biology, ecology, and management of plum curculio (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J Int Pest Management DOI: pmaa018
- Ludwick, D, WR Morrison III, AL Acebes-Doria, A Agnello, JC Bergh, ML Buffington, G Hamilton, JK Harper, KA Hoelmer, G Krawczyk, TP Kuhar, D Pfeiffer, AL Nielsen, KB Rice, C Rodriguez-Saona, PW Shearer, PM Shrewsbury, E Talamas, J Walgenbach, NG Wiman, TC Leskey. 2020 Invasion of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) into the USA: Developing a national response to an invasive species crisis through collaborative research and outreach efforts. J Int Pest Manag.
- Akotsen-Mensah C*, J Kaser*, TC Leskey, AL Nielsen. 2018 Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Responses to Traps Baited with Pheromonal Stimuli in Peach and Apple Orchards. J. Econ. Entomol. 11: 2153-2162 doi: 10.1093/jee/toy200
- Morrison, III WR, BR Blaauw*, BD Short, AL Nielsen, JC Bergh, G Krawczyk, Y-L Park, B Butler, A Khrimian, TC Leskey. 2018.Successful management of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in commercial apple orchards with an attract-and-kill strategy. Pest Management Science. DOI: 10.1002/ps.5156
- Blaauw, BR, D Polk, AL Nielsen. 2015. IPM-CPR for peaches: utilizing behaviorally-based methods to manage key peach pests; brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) and Oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta). Pest Manag. Sci. 71:1513-1522. DOI 10.1002/ps.3955
- Rice, KB, CJ Bergh, EJ Bergmann, DJ Biddinger, C Dieckhoff, G Dively, H Fraser, T Gariepy…JF Tooker. 2014. Biology, Ecology, and Management of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). J Integ. Pest Manag. 5:A1-A13.
- Nielsen, AL, JM Pote, K Beuhrer, MJ Grieshop. 2012. Rhynchaneus pallicornis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an emerging pest of organic apples J. Integ. Pest Manag. 3:D1-D4_. http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/IPM12009.
- Leskey, TC, GC Hamilton, AL Nielsen, DF Polk, C Rodriguez-Saona, JC Bergh, DA Herbert, TP Kuhar, D Pfeiffer, GP Dively, CRR Hooks, MJ Raupp, PM Shrewsbury, G Krawczyk, PW Shearer, J Whalen, C Koplinka-Loehr, E Myers, D Inkley, KA Hoelmer, D-H Lee, SE Wright. 2012. Pest status of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys in the USA. Outlooks Pest Management. 23: 218-226. DOI: 10.1564/23aug00.
- Nielsen, AL, P Shearer, GC Hamilton. 2008. Toxicity of insecticides to Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) using a glass-vial bioassay. J. Econ. Entomol. 101: 1439-1442.
Developing phenology models
When and where an insect species will be present within a crop is critical to managing or protecting it. In fact, the ability to predict insect seasonality has been a key factor in advancing IPM programs in the past 40 years. Phenology models incorporate insect seasonality, developmental models and plant susceptibility together to allow accurate prediction of pest populations. As exothermic organisms, insect development and seasonality can be predicted by temperature accumulations. Known as degree-days, the required heat units for development are researched by entomologists for many insect species. This knowledge allows modeling of insect populations to identify the number of generations, target specific life stages and identify potential distributions. For invasive species, the development of degree-day and phenology models is a key step to developing management plans and even predict establishment. Dr. Anne Nielsen developed a degree-day model for Halyomorpha halys during her PhD research and this continues to be a large area of research focus for her. This work has expanded to evaluate voltinism across geographic ranges and the cues that terminate and induce diapause. Current work is being conducted to validate phenology models for other pests. With changing climate, insect ranges have expanded and the number of generations has increased for other species, thus this area of research is a constantly growing field.
When and where an insect species will be present within a crop is critical to managing or protecting it. In fact, the ability to predict insect seasonality has been a key factor in advancing IPM programs in the past 40 years. Phenology models incorporate insect seasonality, developmental models and plant susceptibility together to allow accurate prediction of pest populations. As exothermic organisms, insect development and seasonality can be predicted by temperature accumulations. Known as degree-days, the required heat units for development are researched by entomologists for many insect species. This knowledge allows modeling of insect populations to identify the number of generations, target specific life stages and identify potential distributions. For invasive species, the development of degree-day and phenology models is a key step to developing management plans and even predict establishment. Dr. Anne Nielsen developed a degree-day model for Halyomorpha halys during her PhD research and this continues to be a large area of research focus for her. This work has expanded to evaluate voltinism across geographic ranges and the cues that terminate and induce diapause. Current work is being conducted to validate phenology models for other pests. With changing climate, insect ranges have expanded and the number of generations has increased for other species, thus this area of research is a constantly growing field.
- Keena M and AL Nielsen. 2021 Comparison of the hatch of newly laid Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) eggs from the United States after exposure to different temperatures and durations of low temperature. Environ Entomol doi: 10.1093/ee/nvaa177
- Krietman, D, GC Hamilton, AL Nielsen, M Keena. 2020 Effects of temperature on sevelopment and survival of nymphal Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae). Environ Entomol 50:183–191
- Nielsen AL, SF Fleischer, GC Hamilton, T Hancock, G Krawczyk, JC Lee, E Ogburn, JM Pote, A Raudenbush, A Rucker, M Saunders, VP Skillman, J Sullivan, J Timer, J Walgenbach, NG Wiman, TC Leskey. 2017. Phenology of brown marmorated stink bug described using female reproductive development. Ecology and Evolution 2017:1-11
- Acebes-Doria AL, AM Agnello, BR Blaauw, GD Buntin, DG Alston, EH Beers, JC Bergh, TE Cottrell, R Bessin, S Chen, KM Daane, SJ Fleischer, C Guédot, LJ Gut, GC Hamilton, R Hilton, KA Hoelmer, WD Hutchison, P Jentsch, G Krawczyk, TP Kuhar, JC Lee, AL Nielsen, AA Sial, LR Spears, BD Short, MD Toews, JD Walgenbach, C Welty, NG Wiman, and TC Leskey. Season-long Monitoring of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Throughout the United States using Commercially Available Traps and Lures. J Econ Entomol
- Nielsen AL, S. Chen, S. Fleischer. 2016. Coupling developmental physiology, photoperiod, and temperature to model phenology and dynamics of an invasive Heteropteran, Halyomorpha halys. Frontiers in Physiology. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00165 [correction nielsen.model_correction.2017.pdf]
- Pote J, AL Nielsen, M Grieshop. 2016.. Biology and seasonality of the re-emergent pest Rhynchaenus pallicornis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and methods for monitoring its abundance. Env. Entomol. 1-9
- Nielsen, AL, GC Hamilton, and P Shearer. 2011. Seasonal phenology and monitoring of the non-native Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in soybean. Env. Entomol. 40:231-238
- Nielsen, AL and GC Hamilton. 2009. Life history of the invasive species Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the Northeastern United States. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 102: 608-616.
- Nielsen, AL and GC Hamilton. 2009. Seasonal occurrence and impact of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in tree fruit. J. Econ. Entomol 102: 1133-1140.
- Nielsen, A, G Hamilton, and D Matadha. 2008. Developmental rate estimation and life table analysis for Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) under constant temperatures. Environ. Entomol. 37: 348-355.
Insect behavior and invasion ecology
Much of our knowledge on animal behavior (the study of ethology) is derived from insects and insect behavior is a key part of applied entomology. Knowing how an insect will search for a mate, for food, or even move throughout the landscape is critical in our decision making process for management. These behaviors can be manipulated by adding or removing alternate hosts such as wildflower plantings to enhance pollinators or trap crops to organically manage pests.
For example, we utilize both mark-release-recapture and mark-recapture technologies to study dispersal behavior and movement within the landscape, eDNA to find rare bugs in terrestrial systems, and the responses to pheromones to monitor populations. Current laboratory research is also aimed at identifying the behavioral response of insects to host plant volatiles.
Much of our knowledge on animal behavior (the study of ethology) is derived from insects and insect behavior is a key part of applied entomology. Knowing how an insect will search for a mate, for food, or even move throughout the landscape is critical in our decision making process for management. These behaviors can be manipulated by adding or removing alternate hosts such as wildflower plantings to enhance pollinators or trap crops to organically manage pests.
For example, we utilize both mark-release-recapture and mark-recapture technologies to study dispersal behavior and movement within the landscape, eDNA to find rare bugs in terrestrial systems, and the responses to pheromones to monitor populations. Current laboratory research is also aimed at identifying the behavioral response of insects to host plant volatiles.
- Blaauw BR, G Hamilton, C Rodriguez-Saona, AL Nielsen. 2019.Plant stimuli and their impact on brown marmorated stink bug dispersal and host selection. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution doi: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00414
- Valentin, RE, DM Fonseca, S Gable, KE Kyle, GC Hamilton, AL Nielsen, and JL Lockwood. 2020. Moving eDNA surveys onto land: Strategies for active eDNA aggregation to detect invasive forest insects. Molecular Ecology Resources 20. DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13151
- Rodriguez-Saona C, A Nielsen, D Shapiro-Ilan, S Tewari, V Kyryczenko-Roth, N Firbas, TC Leskey 2019 Exploring an Odor-baited “Trap Bush” Approach to Aggregate Plum Curculio (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Injury in Blueberries. Insects 10: E113
- Morrison, III WR, BR Blaauw, AL Nielsen, E Talamas, and TC Leskey. 2018. Predation and parasitism by native and exotic natural enemies of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera; Pentatomidae) eggs augmented with semiochemicals and differing host stimuli. Biological Control.
- Valentin, R, DM Fonseca, A Nielsen, T Leskey, J Lockwood. 2018. Using eDNA for early detection of terrestrial exotic species to minimize impacts on the environment. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.1811
- Leskey TC and AL Nielsen. 2018. The impact of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug in North America and Europe: History, biology, ecology, and management. Annual Review of Entomology 63: 599-618.
- Valentin, R, AL Nielsen, N Wiman, D-H Lee, DM Fonseca. 2017. Global invasion network of the brown marmorated stink bug. Scientific Reports 7: 9866 1-12.
- Weber, DC, WR Morrison, A Khrimian, KB Rice, TC Leskey, C Rodriguez-Saona, AL Nielsen, BR Blaauw. 2017. Chemical ecology of Halyomorpha halys: Discoveries and applications. J. Pest Sci. 90: 989-1008.
- Blaauw, BR, WR Morrison, C Mathews, TC Leskey, AL Nielsen. 2017. Measuring host plant selection and retention by Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) by a trap crop. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 163: 197-208.
- Blaauw BR, V Jones, AL Nielsen. 2016. Utilizing immunomarking techniques to track Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) dispersal within a peach orchard. peerj.com/articles/1997/PeerJ. 4:e1997 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1997
- Hahn, NG, AJ Kaufman, C. Rodriguez-Saona, AL Nielsen, J LaForest, GC Hamilton. 2016. Exploring the spread of brown marmorated stink bug in New Jersey through the use of crowdsourced reports. Am Entomol 62: 36-45
- Lee, D-H, AL Nielsen, TC Leskey. 2014. Dispersal capacity of nymphal stages of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). J Insect Behav. DOI 10.1007/s10905-014-9456-2.
- Wallner AM, GC Hamilton, AL Nielsen, N Hahn, E Green, CR Rodriguez-Saona. 2014. Landscape factors facilitating the invasive dynamics and distribution of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), after arrival in the United States. PLoS ONE 9:e95691. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0095691
- Xu, J, D Fonseca, GC Hamilton, KA Hoelmer, AL Nielsen. 2014. Tracing the origin of US brown marmorated stink bugs, Halyomorpha halys. Biol. Inv. 16:153-166. DOI: 10.1007/s10530-013-0510-3.
- Tewari, S, TC Leskey, AL Nielsen, JC Piñero, CR Rodriguez-Saona. 2014. Use of pheromones in insect pest management, with special attention to weevil pheromones. In: Integrated Pest Management: Current Concepts and Ecological Perspectives. D.P. Abrol (Ed.). Elsevier Inc. pp 141-168.
- Lee, JC, PW Shearer, LD Barrantes, EH Beers, HJ Burrack, DT Dalton, AJ Dreves, LJ Gut, KA Hamby, DR Haviland, R Isaacs, AL Nielsen, T Richardson, CR Rodriguez-Saona, CA Stanley, DB Walsh, VM Walton, WL Yee, FG Zalom, DJ Bruck. 2013. Improving trap design for monitoring Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Env. Entomol. 42: 1123-1453.
- Nielsen, AL, G Hamilton, K Holmstrom, J Cambridge, J Ingerson-Mahar. 2013. Use of black light traps to monitor the abundance, spread, and flight behavior of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 1495-1502
Biological control and organic management
Conserving natural enemies within the agroecosystem is a central tenant to IPM programs and one that is always at the core of the research that we do.
Conserving natural enemies within the agroecosystem is a central tenant to IPM programs and one that is always at the core of the research that we do.
- Kaser JM, C Akotsen-Mensah, EJ Talamas, AL Nielsen. 2018. First report of Trissolcus japonicus parasitizing Halyomorpha halys in North American agriculture. Fla Entomol.
- Kaser J, AL Nielsen, P Abram. 2018. Biological control effects of non-reproductive host mortality caused by parasitoids. Ecological Applications https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1712
- Pote, J. M., and A. L. Nielsen. 2017. Life stage specific predation of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) by generalist predators. Biological Control 114: 1-7.
- Abram, PK, KA Hoelmer, A Acebes-Doria, et al. 2017. Indigenous arthropod natural enemies of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug in North America and Europe. J. Pest Science 90:1009–1020
- Mathews, CR, B Blaauw, G Dively, J Kotcon, J Moore, E Ogburn, DG Pfeiffer, T Trope, JF Walgenbach, C Welty, G Zinati, AL Nielsen. 2017. Evaluating a polyculture trap crop for organic management of Halyomorpha halys and native stink bugs in peppers. J. Pest Sci 90.: 1245-1255.
- Fraga, DF, J Parker, AC Busoli, GC Hamilton, AL Nielsen, C Rodriguez-Saona. 2016. Behavioral responses of predaceous minute pirate bugs to tridecane, a volatile emitted by the brown marmorated stink bug. J. Pest Sci.: 1-12.
- Ogburn, EC, R Bessin, C Dieckhoff, R Dobson, M Grieshop, KA Hoelmer, C Mathews, J Moore, AL Nielsen, K Poley, JM Pote, M Rogers, C Welty, JF Walgenbach. 2016. Natural enemy impact on eggs of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in organic agroecosystems: A regional assessment. Biol.. Control 101: 39-51.
- Nielsen, AL, G Dively, JM Pote, G Zinati, C Mathews. 2016. Identifying a Potential Trap Crop for a Novel Insect Pest, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Organic Farms. Env. Entomol. 45: 472-478
- Pote, JM, AL Nielsen, L Gut, MJ Grieshop. 2015. Organic management of apple flea weevil, a reemergent pest of commercial apples. Organic Agriculture. doi:/10.1007/s13165-015-0129-z
- Lee, D-H, BD Short, AL Nielsen, TC Leskey. 2014. Impact of organic insecticides on the survivorship and mobility of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the laboratory. Fla Entomol. 97:414-421.
- Nielsen, AL, EE Lewis. 2012. Designing the ideal habitat for entomopathogen use in nursery production. Pest Manag. Sci. 68:1053-1061. DOI: 10.1002/ps.3267.
- Nielsen, AL, J Nakatani, KO Spence, EE Lewis. 2011. Effect of soil salinity on entomopathogenic nematode survivorship and behavior. Nematology 13:859-867.
- Nielsen, AL, KO Spence, EE Lewis. 2008. Efficacy patterns of biopesticides used in potting media. Biopestic. Int. 4: 87-101.