About Us
Funding was provided by the Northeastern IPM Center to form a working group in summer of 2018 with Penn State as the lead institution. The working group met several times and submitted a successful proposal to the USDA-NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative in December 2018 to study the biology, ecology, and management of spotted lanternfly. The goals for this project are to develop efficacious tactics for managing the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, on vulnerable specialty crops to reduce the risk of widespread, catastrophic damage and to develop strategies for long-term SLF management. Our partnership includes 7 universities, USDA-ARS and APHIS, and will be advised by an engaged and thoughtful stakeholder advisory panel. Findings and recommendations will be disseminated through university Extension, StopSLF.org, the private sector and commodity organizations. In this Coordinated Agriculture Project, our objectives are to:
- Quantify SLF impact on at-risk specialty crops and immediately develop management tactics to reduce the damage in areas where SLF is established.
- Perform essential fundamental research on SLF basic biology, ecology, behavior and biological control tactics contributing to long-term sustainable solutions.
- Deliver immediate SLF management solutions to specialty crop stakeholders and the general public via the Extension networks of the partnering land-grant universities, USDA agencies, and the Northeastern IPM Center.
Participants
Julie Urban, Research Associate Professor of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University
Heather Leach, Extension Associate, The Pennsylvania State University
David Biddinger, Research Professor of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University
Michela Centinari, Assistant Professor of Viticulture, The Pennsylvania State University
Greg Krawczyk, Extension Tree Fruit Entomologist, The Pennsylvania State University
Cristina Rosa, Assistant Professor of Plant Virology, The Pennsylvania State University
Thomas Baker, Distinguished Professor of Entomology and Chemical Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University
Sampurna Sattar, Assistant Professor of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University
Fang Zhu, Assistant Professor of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University
Kelli Hoover, Professor of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University
Jayson Harper, Professor of Agricultural Economics, The Pennsylvania State University
Tracy Leskey, Entomology Research Leader/Director, USDA-ARS
Kim Hoelmer, Research Leader, USDA-ARS
Miriam Cooperband, Entomologist, USDA-APHIS
Rodney Cooper, Entomologist, USDA-ARS
Charles Bartlett, Associate Professor of Entomology, University of Delaware
Matthew Helmus, Assistant Professor of Biology, Temple University
Jocelyn Behm, Assistant Professor of Biology, Temple University
Benjamin Siebold, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Temple University
Doug Pfeiffer, Professor of Entomology, Virginia Technical University
Eric Day, Administrative and Professional Faculty in Entomology, Virginia Technical University
Tom Kuhar, Professor of Entomology, Virginia Technical University
Scott Salom, Professor of Entomology, Virginia Technical University
Dorothea Tholl, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Virginia Technical University
Anne Nielsen, Assistant Extension Specialist of Entomology, Rutgers University
Julie Lockwood, Professor of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University
Megan Muehlbauer, Extension Agent III, Rutgers New Jersey Experiment Station
Dean Polk, Extension Agent I, Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center
George Hamilton, Entomology Department Chair, Rutgers University
Deb Grantham, Director, Northeast IPM Center
Ann Hajek, Professor of Entomology, Cornell University
Peter Jentsch, Senior Extension Associate/Entomologist, Cornell University
James O’Connell, Small Fruit Specialist, Cornell University
Dan Olmstead, NEWA Coordinator, NYS IPM Program, Cornell University
Brian Eshenaur, Sr. Extension Associate for Ornamental Crops, Cornell University
Lisa Tewksbury, Research Associate and Director of Biological Control Program, University of Rhode Island