Pest Management

Research Focus

Evaluation, development, and integration of entomopathogens, transgenic insecticidal cultivars (TIC), parasitoids, and predators for management of beetle and moth pests of stored products. Primary interests are evaluation and development of novel isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and TIC for controlling beetle and moth pests of stored grains (corn), interactions of Bt, TIC, and beneficial insects, life histories of parasitoids and predators, environmental studies, deployment protocols, and impact on grain quality. The overall objective is to develop alternative management tactics and strategies for management of insect pests of stored grain that minimize reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides.

Current Projects

• "Impact of Transgenic Grain on Pest and Beneficial Insect Populations Under Different Storage Conditions"
• "Life History Attributes of Stored Grain Moth Pests as Influenced by Bacillus thuringiensis Cry 1Ab, MPG 2, Cry 1 Ab + MPG 2, Cry 1F, and Cry 9C Transformed Corn"
• "Influence of Cry 3 and 168G1 Transformed Corn Kernels on Stored Grain Beetle Pests"
• "Resistance of Stored Grain Moth Pests to Transgenic Grain"

Staff

• John Sedlacek, Principal Investigator
• Open Position, Co-Investigator

Student Involvement

Undergraduate and Graduate students conduct original research related to the current projects being investigated. Undergraduate students may satisfy Biology Department major requirements by enrolling in BIO 410 and conducting one or more experiments and writing a paper on the research they perform. Exceptionally talented students are hired as part time undergraduate research assistants during the school year and for full time summer employment. Graduate students conduct research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Currently I have three M.S. students working on degree programs and conducting their research in my laboratory and at the stored grain research facility at the KSU Agricultural Research Farm. Two undergraduate students are working in my laboratory this year and are conducting BIO 410 related research.