Urban Entomology
The urban group is working together to recast their collection of activities into a nationally recognized premier urban program. This includes a shared vision and common goals built on the strength of existing programs as core component parts. Expected benefits include economies of scale for a range of activities including recruitment, training, R&D, extension and outreach. The urban curriculum is being revised to broaden the base of students it will reach. The ultimate beneficiaries will be the stakeholders because an integrated approach should bring new knowledge, skills, and tools that should improve the effectiveness and increase the market of stakeholders. Below is a list of potential beneficiaries of this effort:
- Industrial and commercial pest control operators
- Master gardeners
- Public Schools
- Homeowners and general public
A center piece of this effort is the Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management. The mission of the Center has been to further the understanding of urban pest problems and to promote their solutions through research and education programs. The Center provides the foundation for expanding the knowledge of urban pests, developing environmentally sound technology for pest management, delivering technical information and training programs to urbanites and urban pest managers, and training scientists to generate ideas in the future. These are principles upheld by the new integrated urban group as well. Center work is focused on general and structural pests of both homeowners and industry with an emphasis on ants, termites and cockroaches.
Food Industry |
Home Gardens |
Public Health, Veterinary and
Forensics |
Ornamentals |
Turfgrass |
Faculty & Staff |
Gary Bennett
Professor, Urban/Industrial Pest Management; Coordinator, Center for Urban/ Industrial Pest Management |
Linda Mason
Associate Professor, Ecology, Insect Behavior, Food Industry Pest Management |
Grzegorz Buczkowski
Research Scientist and Director, Industrial Affiliates Program |
Doug
Richmond
Assistant Professor, Turfgrass Pest Mangement and Ecology |
Rick Foster
Professor, Vegetable and Fruit Crops Pest Management; Coordinator, Extension Entomology |
Cliff
Sadof
Professor,
Ornametals Pest Management, Biological Control |
Tim Gibb
Research Specialist & Insect Diagnostician, Turf Pest Management, IPM in Schools |
Catherine Hill
Assistant Professor, Vector Biology |
Ralph
Williams
Professor, Public
Health, Livestock and Poultry Pest Management, Forensic Entomology |
|
Title |
Description |
Contact |
Alternative Control Outreach Network (ACORN) |
ACORN is a growing network of Master Gardeners, Extension Educators and University Researchers interested in reducing pesticide use in home gardens. We conduct workshops throughout the midwest to train gardeners how to conduct research that tests the effectiveness alternative tactics in their own gardens. The Alternative Control Guide is a web-based directory of alternative tactics. |
Cliff Sadof
|
Ant Behavioral
Ecology and Genetics Laboratory |
Research in Dr. Buczkowski’s
laboratory focuses on the ecology, behavior, and genetics
of ants, with emphasis on urban and invasive pest species.
Ants are the dominant members of terrestrial ecosystems and
perform a wide variety of critical ecological functions.
Because of their wide distribution, enormous diversity, and
a wide range of complex social behaviors ants present an
excellent model system for basic research in entomology.
Some ants, especially introduced invasive species, are pests
and offer challenging opportunities for the development of
innovative strategies toward ant management. |
Grzegorz A.
Buczkowski |
Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management (CUIPM) |
CUIPM was founded to enhance our department's ability to serve the educational, research, and continuing education needs for the management of pests affecting our health, property, and food supplies. The Center provides the foundation for expanding our knowledge of urban pests, developing environmentally sound technologies for pest management, delivering technical information and training programs to urbanites and urban pest managers, and training scientists to undergird this process in the future. |
Gary Bennett |
Landscape Entomology Laboratory |
The Landscape Entomology Laboratory promotes the design of indoor and outdoor landscapes that can be maintained with a minimum of pesticide use. Research, extension and teaching efforts promote the biological and natural control of pests in forests, urban landscapes, nurseries, greenhouses and Christmas trees. Special programs have been developed that address management needs for exotic pests like Gypsy Moth. |
Cliff Sadof
|
IPM in Schools |
The IPM Technical Resource Center helps schools and childcare facilities in developing pest management programs that will effectively control pests while minimizing the potential for pesticide exposure of children. We provide resources, technical information, and training in Integrated Pest Management for school and daycare personnel as well as pest management professionals working in childrens environments. |
Tim
Gibb
|
Fruit IPM Vegetable IPM |
The Fruit and Vegetable IPM program is to develop and implement IPM programs in fruit and vegetable crops. Research is conducted to develop sampling methods, economic thresholds, and control tactics, including biological, cultural, and chemical control. Recent work has centered on developing alternatives to pesticides for fruit and vegetable growers. |
Rick Foster
|
Food
Pest Entomology |
The Food Pest Entomology
Program focuses its effort on the pests affecting the food industry.
This includes food from harvest (primarily grain), through the
commercial elevator, processor, warehouse, retail market and into
the kitchen. Applied research is conducted on alternatives to traditional
controls including temperature modification, fumigation, and structural/packaging
protection. Basic research focuses on mating and oviposition, attraction
and food preferences. |
Linda
Mason
|
Purdue Urban Landscape Project
Turfgrass Entomology
|
Initiated
in 2005, The Purdue Urban Landscape Project is a broad, multidisciplinary
project designed to examine how different management tactics influence
the structure, function and sustainability of urban ecosystems
(lawns, gardens, parks, and other greenspaces). While home lawns
are currently the primary focus of this project, collaborations
with other scientists are being forged to bolster research and
extension efforts in landscape and woody ornamentals, household,
structural, food and nuisance pest management, public health, and
wildlife management at the interface between developed and undeveloped
areas. |
Doug
Richmond
|
|