Projects
The Soybean Entomology Lab is a diverse group of field entomologists, and combines research and extension programs from Drs. O'Neal and Hodgson. Together, they conduct studies to understand more about landscape ecology and IPM.
John VanDyk is the maintainer for BugGuide.net, a photographic online guide to arthropods of North America.
We use an integrative approach, blending ecology, evolution, behavior, physiology, and genomics, to study insect sociality and pollinator health.
Prairie strips are a proven tool for improving and protecting row-cropped farm fields.
The field of systematics endeavors to discover and describe the diversity of life and to place this diversity in an evolutionary framework and hierarchical classification. Ultimately, these activities provide a logical and stable system of taxonomic information, one that is useful and critical to all fields of biological science.
This project is funded by the Binational Agriculture Research and Development (BARD) fund US-Israel to study pheromone mating disruption in the pink bollworm moth which is a major pest of cotton world-wide.
Insect Toxicology/Phytochemicals
Our research in the insect toxicology area is focused primarily on plant-derived products that have insecticidal, insect repellent, or antifeedant properties.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Our studies on the environmental fate and effects of agrochemicals include projects that address the insecticidal protein toxin in transgenic crops (e.g. Bt corn), veterinary antibiotics in soil and water, and phytoremediation of conventional pesticides in soil, water, and plants.
Our research interests are broadly focused on the study of the innate immune system and how mosquito immunity influences vector competence and pathogen transmission.
The mission of the Unit is 1) develop strategies for genetic and genomic improvements of adapted and exotic corn germplasm; 2) develop basic understandings of the soybean genome via genetic and cytogenetic analyses; 3) elucidate molecular mechanisms of interactions between cereal pathogens and their hosts; 4) develop environmentally sound strategies to manage pest insects of corn; 5) advance the science of bioinformatics to better understand the complex gene interactions within barley, corn, and soybean, and 6) managing model organism databases and providing community support for the crops
Research Projects
1. Resistance to Bt corn by western corn rootworm
2. Fitness costs of Bt resistance in agricultural pest insects
3. Integrated pest management for corn and agro-ecology of corn cropping systems