ENTOMOLOGY RESEARCH LABORATORY

GREENHOUSE IPM

 

     The greenhouse industry represents a vital and expanding component of Vermont's and the Region's agricultural base.  It is one of the few expanding agricultural sectors in all of the states within New England, generating approximately half a billion dollars annually.  However, it is an industry heavily reliant on synthetic pesticides, and alternative pest management techniques are urgently needed.  In our studies on pear thrips, we recovered many isolates of insect-killing fungi from infected pear thrips larvae, maple and oak forest soils, and other forest pests.  Several of these strains are also active against other injurious insects, providing an opportunity to control greenhouse pests with microbes recovered from forests.  We are developing fungi for management of three major greenhouse pests: thrips, aphids and whiteflies.  Research is only part of the story, though, and we are the lead group in a regional IPM initiative.

     In collaboration with researchers, extension specialists and growers from ME, NH and VT, we are working to promote greater adoption of IPM practices by this dynamic industry.  The Tri-state Greenhouse IPM Advisory Group seeks to identify pest and disease problems facing growers so that research activities can be focused and coordinated to specifically address their expressed needs, and we are actively involved in the planning and staging of IPM outreach activities.  These include a series of 'hands-on' educational workshops that have been enthusiastically received and seek to provide critical information and know-how to growers seeking to implement IPM.

 



* The Greenhouse Industry is essential to the region’s agricultural future but relies heavily on chemical pesticides. Safer management options are needed.

* Our research will lead to development of fungal biopesticides as effective alternatives for control of thrips, aphids and whiteflies, pests of regional, national and international significance.

* Formation of a Tri-state IPM Advisory Group enables us to address industry needs within the region, as identified by growers.


* Workshops developed by the group capitalize on expertise in the region to provide hands-on training to encourage IPM implementation.

 
 

 

Greenhouse IPM Implementation Team

 

Vermont:
Margaret Skinner, UVM
Cheryl E. Frank, UVM
Bruce L. Parker, UVM
Jon Turmel, VT Dept. of Agric. & Markets

Maine:
James Dill, Univ. of ME

New Hampshire:
Alan Eaton, Univ. of NH
Cheryl Smith, Univ. of NH
Chris Schlegel, Grower
Jeff Huntington, Grower
Tom Durkis NH Dept. of Agric. & Markets
Chris Rallis, NH Dept. of Agric. & Markets

Massachusetts:
Peter Konjoian, Grower/Consultant
 



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