Dr. Tracy Leskey (USDA-ARS) will lead the proposed research and educational activities.  Dr. Leskey has nearly 20 years of experience developing IPM strategies in collaboration with fruit growers, and she is the Project Director for the USDA-NIFA BMSB SCRI CAP (www.stopbmsb.org) and co-leader of the Northeastern BMSB IPM Working Group. 

 

Dr. Chris Bergh is a professor at Virginia Tech’s tree fruit research and Extension center and has 23 years of research experience on the biology and management of pests of tree fruit crops.  He will identify tree fruit grower cooperators in VA and assist with project implementation and coordination in VA. 

 

Dr. Anne Nielsen studied BMSB for her dissertation research and is currently an assistant Extension specialist in tree fruit entomology at Rutgers University.  She is the PD of the USDA-NIFA BMSB OREI developing management programs for organic growers. 

 

Dr. Greg Krawczyk is an Extension tree fruit entomologist at Penn State University and has 25 years of experience in implementing IPM systems in fruit orchards.  He will coordinate research and education activities for grower community in PA.

 

Dr. Ashot Khrimian is a Research Chemist with the USDA-ARS, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and has 40 years of research experience in chemistry specializing in identification, synthesis and use of pheromones.  He will provide expertise in formulation and other chemistry issues associated with the recently identified aggregation pheromone of BMSB.  

 

Dr. Brett Blaauw is a research associate at Rutgers University.  He is currently investigating behaviorally-based methods to control BMSB in tree fruit.  Nielsen and Blaauw will coordinate research and education programs for growers in NJ.

 

Dr. Rob Morrison is a research associate at USDA-ARS, and has studied the behavioral ecology of invasive species for the past six years. Moreover, Dr. Morrison has a decade of experience in reaching out to growers and the public in various venues. Finally, he was an awardee for a USDA NIFA Predoctoral Fellowship dealing with an exotic leaf-mining fly, which he successfully completed.

 

Dr. Yong-Lak Park is a professor at West Virginia University and has conducted research/Extension programs including site-specific pest management for 15 years.  He is a PI under the BMSB OREI for development of BMSB management for organic commodities.

 

Mr. Bryan Butler Sr. is a Maryland agricultural extension educator and has been involved for 21 years in a range of educational efforts related to tree and small fruit productions.  Park and Butler will coordinate outreach activities and deliver project outcomes to grower community in MD and WV. 

 

We are funded by the Northeast SARE Center, and are very appreciative for their support of this project.