Research
The WhalonLab is currently researching pesticides and pesticide alternatives in various crops. This work includes both organic and transition orchards/fields, and the transition from conventional to organic.
Current Projects
- Pest Management Technical Information (Updates) and State and Federal Committee Service
- Reduced fertility and tranovarial transmission by Obliquebanded leafroller after adult exposure to novaluron
- Development of Novaluron for use against cherry fruit fly in Michigan Tart Cherry Production
- An economically promising plum curculio control strategy in Michigan tree fruit with a reduced risk IGR
- An economically promising control strategy in Mi tree fruit: "Cross-Crop Plum Curculio Management" with a novel reduced risk IGR.
- Incorporation of the insect growth regulator novaluron into Michigan apple production for apple maggot fly control
- Tree Fruit IPM/ICM Management and Measurement Systems and Pesticide Regulatory Policy in Michigan
- The use of arthropods as ecological measures of desert spring health classification Determination of functional ecology indicators to defend the use of genetically modified corn
- Functional Ecology Indicators to help defend Michigan apple production practices
- Optimizing application of a biopesticide and biocontrol agent targeting the Michigan tree fruit pest plum curculio
- Delivery of Effective Entomopathogenic Fungi and Nematodes for Managing Plum Curculio in Orchards
Current Crops
- Apples
- Soybeans
- Corn
- Cherries - Sweet and Tart
Resources
Leafrollers - A compiled list of leafroller species, how to distinguish them from one another, and when in the season they appear.Plum Curculio: Better Control
Apple Orchard Ecosystem - A Tour of an organic apple orchard ecosystem
Michigan Insect Apple Pests - A database of common Michigan apple pests, their lifecycle, and damage (page links back to the Tree Fruit Links page under Organic Research)
Mite Identification - A list of common mites and how to identify them (page links back to the Functional Ecology Research page)
Plum Curculio Identification - How to identify plum curculio and what insects look like plum curculio but are not (page links back to the Organic Research page)
Research Areas
OrganicFunctional Ecology
IGR's
Biopesticides
Applied Chemical Ecology and Natural Products
The Great Basin Project