The Principal Investigator, Dominic Reisig, has an appointment of 30% research at NC State with focus on applied entomology of small grains, soybean, corn and cotton. Our lab’s research program centers around Helicoverpa zea (commonly known as bollworm, corn earworm and tomato fruitworm) and stink bugs. Caterpillars from the genus Helicoverpa are major pests worldwide, partially managed with Bt in some crops and insecticides in others. The lab is focused on the ecology of this insect and its interactions with Bt crops, which have changed the field crop landscape for insects. Furthermore, piercing sucking insect pests, such as thrips and stink bugs have emerged as major pests worldwide and especially in North Carolina. Insecticide sprays have been reduced in Bt crops, releasing these insects that are unaffected by the Bt toxins. We focus on these pests, with forays into other pests as they become important.
- Current projects:
- Impact of tillage on Helicoverpa zea overwintering
- Impact of structure and seed blended refuge on Helicoverpa zea resistance development
- Helicoverpa zea pupation behavior across varying environmental conditions
- Helicoverpa zea soybean economic thresholds
- Helicoverpa zea ovipositional behavior in soybean
- Helicoverpa zea areawide management
- Increasing the planting of non-Bt refuge corn through traditional and novel research and Extension methods
- Impact of overwintering habitat type on stink bug incidence in corn and other field crops