Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories PresentationsLeave a comment on Entomological Society of America – Crapemyrtle Bark Scale presentationThis presentation was delivered at the Entomological Society of America in Denver, Colorado (November 5, 2017). Content includes most updated population dynamics data and insecticidal control data.
Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories PresentationsLeave a comment on Integrated Pest Management of Vegetables in Protected Culture PresentationPresentation delivered on October 31st and November 1st to greenhouse vegetable growers. Aimed specifically for whitefly, aphid, and twospotted spider mite management using biological control and a quick look at insecticide compatibility resources.
Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories GNRCW, ProgramsLeave a comment on 2017 Greenhouse and Nursery Regulatory Compliance WorkshopDecember 1, 2017
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Lunch is included.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center,
1710 N. FM 3053, Overton, TX
In addition to running an efficient and profitable business, it is imperative that you comply with Texas Department of Agriculture, Worker Protection Safety, and Occupational Safety and Health regulations. Complying with these regulations help keep yourself, your employees, and the environment safe from potential hazards. Non-compliance can result in some hefty fines, in some cases enough fines to run someone out of business!
Make sure you are aware of current compliance regulations and how to stay on top of them. This workshop will feature a current TDA auditor.
Speakers
| 8:30 am | Registration check-in begins |
| 9:00 am | Gold Star Esperanza… Trouble in Paradise. The history of Tecoma stans ‘Gold Star’ introduction and explain the troubles related to inferior clones in the trade Greg Grant, Smith County Horticulturalist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension |
| 10:00 am | Pesticides: Exposure, Health Effects, and Safety Education Dr. Shaadi Khademi, MD and Dr. Vanessa Casanova, PhD, UT Health Northeast, Dept. of Occupational and Environmental Medicine & The Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education |
| 11:00 am | Break |
| 11:15 am | How to Comply with the WPS Revisions Katherine Newton, Pesticide Inspector, TDA |
| 12:15 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 pm | Integrated Pest Management for Greenhouse and Nursery Dr. Steve Arthurs, Dept. of Entomology, Texas A&M |
| 2:00 pm | Water U Doing for Texas Horticulture? Daniel Cunningham, Dept. of Horticulture, Texas A&M |
| 3:00 pm | Adjourn |
Audience
This workshop is specifically designed for greenhouse ornamental and nursery growers, although some of the material may apply to greenhouse or outdoor vegetable growers, forage growers, and orchards.
Some of the most influential growers in East Texas considered this to be a great need for the industry and prioritized this program. Some of the growers in East Texas have already faced some large fines and “nightmares”, and would like their fellow industry-people to avoid the same fate.
$25, which includes:
*Bring your applicator license to the meeting to register for CEUs.
Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories General, GrowersLeave a comment on Crapemyrtle Bark Scale UpdateThe crapemyrtle bark scale is an invasive pest of crapemyrtles, first introduced in the US in 2004. For a summary the scale, check out the page on crapemyrtle bark scale.
Earlier this year (2017), crapemyrtle bark scale has been found on landscape beautyberry in East Texas. Continue reading “Crapemyrtle Bark Scale Update”
Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories Notes, Programs, Uncategorized1 Comment on IOBC Canada 2017 – Part IIIThis post is a part of a series of notes taken at the International Organization of Biological Control 2017.
Foraging and egg-laying behaviour of the coccinellid predator Rhyzobius lophanthae
Marjolein Kruidhof, Wageningen University & Research, BU Greenhouse Horticulture
Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories General, Growers, Integrated Pest Management1 Comment on One way to know if an insecticide will workWith the plethora of pesticides out there, it can be challenging to know which will actually work an which wont. Many blogs and websites suggest different home remedies or natural products, but how can you know whether what the blogs are saying are reliable?
Continue reading “One way to know if an insecticide will work”
Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories Employee, GeneralLeave a comment on Jon Nemati – Ext. Demonstration TechJonathan Nemati first joined the Six-legged Aggie team in early May of 2015 before returning to the center in April 2017. He graduated from LeTourneau University in 2016 with a B.S. in Biology.
He has had an interest in wildlife since he was little, collecting and observing a wide variety of wildlife as a hobby as well as studying to improve his knowledge of them. He also enjoys reading, hunting, hiking, fishing and a wide variety of sports. He intends to pursue graduate studies in ecology.
Jon’s role this summer will be to assist in data collection, analysis, and writing reports related to crapemyrtle bark scale, aphid, and thrips management.
Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories Employee, GeneralLeave a comment on Briton Grove – Ext. Demonstration TechBriton Grove is a graduate of University of Texas at Tyler with a BS in Biology and a minor in Biochemistry.
She is interested in how the study of insects could help advance our understanding of antibiotics and disease. Her previous research experience including studying how CRISPRs grant acquired immunity to many viruses and how this tool could be used in autism research. She intends to start a master’s program this fall (2017) at University of Texas at Tyler, concentrating on entomology. For her master’s thesis, she will examine the roles that bacteria play in the stabilization of fungus-gardening ants and their symbiont fungi, including the use of antimicrobial compounds.
In her free time, Ms. Grove enjoys camping, traveling, and gardening. She also gives back to her local community by volunteering with Texas Mission of Mercy as a dental assistant, providing free dental care to low income residents.
Ms. Grove will be assisting Erfan Vafaie with research on the crapemyrtle bark scale, thrips, and aphid management this summer as an Extension Demonstration Technician.
Author Erfan VafaiePosted on Categories Growers, Notes, Programs4 Comments on IOBC Canada 2017 – Part IIThis post is a part of a series of notes taken at the International Organization of Biological Control 2017.
Plant-provided food increases indirect defense through manipulation of a mutualism
Pete Nelson, North Carolina State University
Conservation biological control in tobacco
The International Organization for Biological Control (Nearctic Region and West Palearctic Regional Section) had a meeting in Niagara Falls (Ontario) from June 4th – 8th, 2017. Below is a list of the talks that I took notes for. When the notes for that talk are published, the title will become a clickable link. Since there were many talks and I need to gather my notes into coherent ideas presented by the speakers, I will be publishing notes progressively over time. Check back later if a title you are interested below is not yet posted.
