The foliar entomology laboratory seeks to improve biologically-based methods for pest management of aboveground pests. Research focuses on the ecology, physiology, feeding and dispersal behavior of pests and natural enemies.
2008 projects include:
· Determining the role of carabid beetles in root weevil predation in strawberry fields, with an emphasis on the larval predators.
· Characterizing the natural enemy-herbivore complex with floral diversification (hedgerows, potted insectary plants) in nurseries and small fruit fields.
· Evaluating releases of commercially available natural enemies in greenhouses.
· Enhancing predation in berry fields with semiochemicals.