Department of Entomology
ANNUAL REPORT

July 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997

Mission

Entomology balances teaching, research, and public service to improve the welfare and the quality
of life in the state, region, nation, and world. Our research mission is to advance the science of
Entomology and to benefit the constituency of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.
Our teaching mission is to educate and train graduate students in the science and profession of
entomology and to provide undergraduate students an appreciation of the diversity and importance
of insects. We cooperate with other departments in the multidisciplinary Crop Protection degree.
The service mission of the Department of Entomology is to provide extension, University,
professional, and community service to our constituency. Extension services include collection,
evaluation, interpretation, and public dissemination of entomological information. Service to the
University and professional societies includes participation in activities related to the functioning
of these organizations. The Department supports a vigorous K-12 educational outreach program
for the benefit the community.

Future Plans, Challenges, and Strengths

As a small Department with a faculty of eight, the hiring of two new faculty members and an
on-going national search for a Department chair signal major changes. The development of new
research, teaching and extension programs and setting goals for the new chair will be priority issues
for the next year. A major effort to review our assessment process is underway with the goal of
improving graduate education. One focus of this will be to reexamine the Entomology core curricula.

Pest management research to aid North Dakota growers is both a strength and major challenge
for Entomology. Our faculty expertise in biological control, host plant resistance, and integrated
pest management gives us the breadth to meet insect pest problems. Our challenge will be to
prioritize our efforts and to be prepared for the inevitable crises that arise.

I. Goals / Accomplishments

A. Instruction and Student Success

1. Teaching initiatives

Rider, D. A. The NDSU insect teaching collection is continuing to be reorganized and
improved with the addition of many new specimens for study. Rider received funding for
and purchased carts for the new teaching computer and for the VCR-TV setup. Money
was also procured for a new insect cabinet and several new fiber optic light sources.

Roseland, C. R. Redesigned the laboratory exercises for Insect Physiology. Two new
exercises and three new labs were added and two other labs rewritten.

2. Advising efforts

Undergraduate students

Independent Study

Allen, Kyle. Advisor: Dr. C. R. Roseland. The correlation between downy mildew
infection of sunflower seedlings in susceptible and resistant lines with HPLC-assessed phenylpropanoid expression.

McNair Fellowship students

Hertz, Jennifer. Advisor: Dr. M. J. Weiss. Research topic: Host plant effects on parasitism
of the diamondback moth by Diadegma insulare.

DeCock, Laura. Advisor: Dr. D. A. Rider. Research topic: Prairie weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Albertson, Jessie. Advisor. Dr. D. A. Rider. Research topic: Prairie plant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) and treehoppers (Homoptera: Membracidae).

EPSCOR Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program

DeCock, Lara. Advisor: Dr. D. A. Rider.

Albertson, Jessie. Dr. Advisor: D. A. Rider.

Graduate students

Students completing their degrees in the past year.

Huihua Gao, Ph.D. Advisor: Dr. G. J. Brewer. Thesis: Sunflower resistance to the red
sunflower seed weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and the mechanisms of the resistance.

Graduate students in residence, degree, and advisor.

Anderson, Patricia.	MS.	M. J. Weiss
DeCock, Laura.	MS.	M. J. Weiss
Dipirro, Megan.	MS.	M. J. Weiss
Ellefeson, Mike.	MS.	G. J. Brewer
Jordan, Carla.	MS.	R. B. Carlson
Jyoti, Jawahar.	Ph.D.	G. J. Brewer
Mundal, Kirk.	MS.	G. J. Brewer
Pederson, Lee.	MS.	G. J. Brewer
Tang, Aimin.	Ph.D.	R. B. Carlson
Tinerella, Paul.	MS.	D. A. Rider
Urlacher, Ken.	MS.	D. A. Rider
Xu, Jianmin.	MS.	C. R. Roseland

 

Graduate students residence, degree, and advisor.

Zhang, Shian.

Ph.D.

C. R. Roseland

Postdoctoral trainees

Kmec, Peter. Research Associate, 1996 to present, works with Dr. Weiss.

Peng, Chengwang. Research Associate, 1992 to present. Dr. Peng is working for Drs.
Brewer and Weiss.

3. Curriculum development

Initiated a review of core curriculum requirements.

4. Accreditation / Reviews

In process of preparing University Program review.

5. Student recruitment / retention

Dr. D. A. Rider served as coordinator to develop the departmental display used in the
DISCOVER program for promoting the College of Agriculture to prospective students
and other outreach programs.

B. Research / Scholarship

1. Research and scholarly activities

Cereals

Drs. Weiss and Glogoza led the research on the orange wheat blossom midge. They
coordinated their efforts with extension across the state and region to provide management
programs for the wheat midge. A fall survey, research programs at two research centers,
and tillage studies are being used to develop a prediction model for development of the insect.
An alternative sampling strategy comparing paper cup traps to visual counts taken in the
evening for their ability to identify fields requiring treatment was investigated.

Research efforts in corn are led by Drs. Glogoza and Weiss. The spatial distribution of the
white grub in relation to shelterbelts bordering fields continues to be investigated. The
greatest numbers of this pest are found within 85 meters of the tree lines, with a general
decline in number with increasing distance from the trees. This information has led to specific recommendations for sampling that focus on areas where the insect is found. A major
change in the sampling procedure is a recommendation to sample in the fall while grubs are
still near the surface compared to old recommendations for spring sampling. Also,
overwintering survival of the white grub was investigated to adjust treatment thresholds
when using fall sampling. A graduate student project to refine prediction models should
result in significant savings to corn producers.

A comparison of transgenic Bt-corn hybrids with conventional hybrids for their value in
managing European corn borer and a project to define its population dynamics on millet
have been initiated.

Sunflower

Drs. Brewer, Charlet, and Peng are working to refine and develop management strategies
for sunflower insect pests. As a relatively new crop beset with multiple insect pest problems, sunflower insect management is still developing. Efforts to better understand pest biology
and interaction with sunflower provide information to design better management strategies.
Present sampling and damage prediction methods for the sunflower beetle and banded
sunflower moth are being revised. Honey bees are being investigated as a novel means to
carry pest management materials to flowering sunflower heads. Sunflower resistance to the
red sunflower seed weevil was found in a number of sunflower accessions and screening
sunflower hybrids for susceptibility to the sunflower midge is continuing. To improve our
ability to identify sunflower germplasm with resistance to the banded sunflower moth,
artificial infestation methods were reexamined.

Dr. Roseland is testing whether the interplanting of susceptible and resistant germplasm
can lessen sunflower beetle damage and commercial hybrids were evaluated for feeding
damage. Three hybrids, IS6767, NK231, and SF187, had reduced leaf area eaten and
IS6767 had a smaller percentage of leaf area eaten compared to a susceptible check. In
some sunflower germplasm, sunflower beetle feeding induces synthesis of two coumarin
compounds that act as feeding deterrents. Deterrrence to feeding is first seen three to five
days after the initial feeding damage with time of occurrence depending on genotype. The
chemical coordinators of plant defense in sunflower include jasmonic and salicylic acid.
Jasmonic acid when topically applied to sunflower induces sunflower beetle deterrence.
The degree of the response is genotype dependant and is correlated with an increase in
scopoletin. Progeny of mutagenized sunflower were increased in the field so that they could
be surveyed for novel insect defensive compounds. Insect behavior and development on the mutagenized sunflower will be correlated with changes in plant chemistry.

Alternate Crops

Flea beetles are a major production problem in canola. Dr. Weiss is leading efforts to get
pesticide registration for flea beetles on canola under the IR-4 program. Dr. Rider is leading
a 2 year effort to survey insect fauna in alternate crops. This will provide a background data
set of potential pest and beneficial insects in alternate crops.

Sugar Beet

Dr. Armstrong joined the project in April 1997 and assumed responsibilities from Dr.
Carlson, interim project leader, for sugar beet research. In 1996, sugarbeet control recommendations were updated, the status of insecticide resistance in localized sugarbeet
root maggot populations was determined, and the outlook for population levels and control
needs in 1997 were made. Research efforts evaluate management and control methods and
adult flight of the sugar beet root maggot. Trials test new (and in most cases safer) insecticide chemistry, cultural control, insecticide placement and timing, and host plant resistance. This
is done collaboratively with personnel from the Department of Plant Sciences, NDSU and
the USDA-ARS sugar beet research unit at Fargo. Insect damage ratings are currently being tabulated and analyzed in preparation for fifteen different grower and industry meetings this
winter. Other integrated projects for sugar beet root maggot management include an
insecticide resistance monitoring program for thirteen different locations in the Red River
Valley; an adult monitoring and prediction program that provides information to growers
and industry on when to expect adult flight into sugar beet fields and where areas of heavy
flight activity occurs.

Potato

Biological control of the Colorado potato beetle is being investigated by Dr. Brewer.
Inundative releases of Perillus bioculatus, a hemipteran predator of Colorado potato
beetle eggs and larvae were tested in 6 acre plots within two commercial potato fields.
Yields in areas treated with the predator and with Bacillis thuringiensis, a bacterial based insecticide were comparable. However, yield was significantly higher in the area receiving a conventional insecticide treatment. If the cost of producing the predator can be lowered,
inundative predator releases may be an effective alternative to conventional insecticide
treatment.

Leafy Spurge

The biological control of leafy spurge by insects project is led by Dr. Carlson. Significant
progress in the redistribution of flea beetles to landowners, federal and state land managers,
and other research programs in the state and region was made. The success of this
cooperative program with USDA-APHIS, USDA-ARS, and the North Dakota department
of Agriculture has been cited as a model for other biological control programs throughout
the U.S. Over 100 million insects have been redistributed throughout the region in an effort
to new establish flea beetle populations. Cooperative work with weed researchers in the
NDSU Dept. of Plant Sciences is leading to recommendations as to how herbicides and
insects may be used together to more rapidly return infested land to maximum grazing
potential.

Livestock

Biting flies and biting and sucking lice plaguing livestock can lead to reductions in weight
gain. The research effort with these pests was led by Dr. Meyer, who recently resigned.
His efforts were to maximize the efficiency of eartags and other pesticides as a management
strategy and to monitor for fly resistance to insecticides used in eartags.

Insect Systematics and Ecology

The systematics and ecology lab led by Dr. Rider continued research on the systematics
of the Pentatomidae including descriptive work on new tribes, genera, and species. He
continued work on the World Catalog of the Pentatomidae, and was invited to participate
on a largely European project concerning a catalog of the Palearctic Heteroptera. In
conjunction with these cataloging projects, a manuscript containing a catalog of Cimex
names was completed in collaboration with W. R. Dolling (England) and L. H. Rolston
(Louisiana), and a second paper on nomenclatural changes in the Pentatomidae is about
ready to submit. A special, festschrift issue of the New York Entomological Society Journal
was published this year; Dr. Rider organized and edited this issue and contributed two
manuscripts. Dr. Fauske continued work on an identification guide to the tortricid moths
of the Upper Great Plains and he is also working on surveys of the carrion beetles and the
silk and hawk moths of North Dakota.

A comparison of different management systems for tallgrass prairie and their effects on insect biodiversity is being studied. The effects of fire, grazing, and haying on tallgrass prairie
arthropods is being measured and will be used to help design management practices that best maintain prairie habitat. Other biodiversity studies include a survey of the water boatmen
(Corixidae) of the Dakotas and Minnesota. Water boatmen can be used as indicators of water quality.

Rider served as organizer and editor for a special issue of the Journal of the New York Entomological Society in honor of Dr. L. H. Rolston, Louisiana State University.

2. Grants and contracts

The Department of Entomology depends on outside funding to support research programs and
graduate student training. The total for grants and contracts received during fiscal year 96-97 was
$294,483, $42,069 per faculty.

Brewer, G. J. 1996. Testing of sunflower insects for susceptibility to strains of Bacillus
thuringiensis. Mycogen Corporation. $8,460.

Brewer, G. J. 1996. Biological control of the Colorado potato beetle in the red river valley of
North Dakota and Minnesota. Renewal. $22,338.

Brewer, G. J. and L. D. Charlet. 1997. Sunflower midge: Resistance, insecticide susceptibility,
and emergence pattern. National Sunflower Association. $6,500.

Brewer, G. J. and L. D. Charlet. 1997. Sunflower resistance to sunflower midge. Sunflower seed
industry. $5,000.

Brewer, G. J. 1996. Agrichemical industry small grants to support sunflower entomology.
Agrichemical industries. $4,500.

Carlson, R.B., 1996. Leafy Spurge Biocontrol. U.S. Department of Defense (National Guard).
$5,000.

Carlson, R. B., 1997. Integration of Insect Biocontrol Agents and Herbicides. USDA-APHIS.
$17,275.

Carlson, R. B. and J. S. Armstrong, 1997. Sugarbeet Root Maggot Resistance to Pesticides,
Evaluation. Sugarbeet Research and Education Board. $22,000.

Carlson, R. B. and J. S. Armstrong, 1997. Biology and Control of the Sugarbeet Root Maggot.
Sugarbeet Research and Education Board. $48,500.

Carlson, R. B. and R. Dregseth, 1996. American Cyanimid. $2,500.

Carlson, R. B. and R. Dregseth, 1996. Dow Chemical. $4,000.

Carlson, R. B. and R. Dregseth, 1997. Tiger Industries. $1,200.

Charlet, L. D. and G. J. Brewer. 1997. Efficacy of seed treatment for control of sunflower beetle
damage in sunflower. Gustafson, Inc. $1,500.

Gulya, T. J. and L. D. Charlet. Understanding and managing rust and stem weevil damage in
High Plains sunflower. National Sunflower Association. 1997. $12,000.

Lee, Chiwon, Weiss, M. J., R. W. Stack, and N. C. Gudmestad.. 1997. Research to aid
emerging carrot industry in North. CREES. $24,000.

Rider, D. A. and G. M. Fauske. 1996. Effects of Standard Management Practices (Burning,
Grazing, Mowing) on Selected Tallgrass Prairie Arthropods. Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources, Partnerships for Wildlife Grants Program. $5000.

Rider, D. A. 1996. Enhancement of Entomology Teaching Program. NDSU, College of Agriculture,
Equipment Proposal. $3200.

Rider, D. A. and D. Carey. 1997. Insect Display Project. Red River Zoological Society. $6545.

Rider, D. A. and G. M. Fauske. 1996. Effects of Standard Management Practices on Selected
Tallgrass Prairie Arthropods. Minnesota Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. $3700.

Rider, D. A. and G. M. Fauske. 1996. Prairie Arthropod Community Dynamics in Western
Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Conservation Partners Grant Program.
$6765.

Rider, D. A. and G. M. Fauske. 1996. Effects of Standard Management Practices (Burning,
Grazing, Mowing) on Selected Tallgrass Prairie Arthropods. Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources, Grants for Conservation Biology Research. $3000.

Rider, D. A. 1996. The Pentatomoidea (Heteroptera) as a Tool for Measuring Biodiversity.
NDSU Agricultural Experiment Station. $3900.

Weiss, M. J. 1997. The impact of tillage on the wheat midge. Granting Agency: North Dakota
Research Foundation. $7,500.

Weiss, M. J. 1996. Pesticide residue for canola. NRSP-4. $11,200

Weiss, M. J. 1967. The impact of tillage on the wheat midge. North Dakota Research Foundation
$7,500.

Weiss, M. J. 1967. Agrichemical industry small grants to support research projects at North
Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. Agrichemical industries. $12,000.

Weiss, M. J. and P. Kmec. 1996. Bt evaluations of Mycogen. Mycogen, San Diego, CA. $32,000.

Weiss, M. J. 1996. The impact of tillage on the wheat midge. Granting Agency: North Dakota
Research Foundation. $7,500.

3. Publications

Faculty members in the Department of Entomology have the obligation to disseminate their research
findings both to the scientific community and to the public. Entomology published 17 refereed journals,
4 book chapters, 13 extension bulletins and popular articles, and gave 26 presentations.

Referred articles

Boeve, P. J. and M. J. Weiss. Spatial distribution and sampling plans with fixed levels of precision
for cereal aphids (Homoptera: Aphidae) infesting spring wheat. Canadian Entomol. In Press.

Boeve, P. J. and M. J. Weiss. Binomial sequential sampling plans for cereal aphids (Homoptera:
Aphidae) in spring wheat. J. Econ. Entomol. In Press.

Dolling, W. R., D. A. Rider, and L. H. Rolston. 1997. A catalog of Cimex names, with comments
on early works concerning the Heteroptera. Journal of the New York Entomological Society 104:
[submitted].

Homan, H. Jeffery, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier, and Robert B. Carlson. 1996. Colony-Site
and Nest-Site Use by Common Grackles In North Dakota. Wilson Bull., 108(1).

Kmec, P. and M. J. Weiss. Population dynamics of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella
(L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) on Crambe abyssinica Hochst. ex R. E. Fries. Environmental
Entomol. In Press.

Kmec, P., M. J. Weiss, L. R. Milbrath, B. G. Schatz, J. Hanzel, B. K. Hanson, and E. Eriksmoen.
Damage potential of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) on crambe, Crambe abyssinica
Hochst. ex R. E. Fries. Crop Science. In Press.

Nowatzki, T. M. and M. J. Weiss. Effect of simulated and actual flea beetle injury to water-stressed
oilseed rape. Can. J. Plant Science. In Press.

Peng, C. & G. J. Brewer. 1996. Sequential sampling plans for the red sunflower seed weevil
(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in oilseed sunflower. J. Agric. Entomol. 13(2): 139-147.

Peng, C. & G. J. Brewer. 1996. Spatial distribution and sequential sampling plans for the banded
sunflower moth (Lepidoptera: Cochylidae) eggs on sunflower. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 79(2): 235-239.

Rider, D. A. 1997. Rolstoniellini, replacement name proposed for Compastini Distant, 1902, a
tribal name based on a generic junior homonym (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae).
Journal of the New York Entomological Society 103(4): [in press]

Rider, D. A. 1996. Book Review of Schuh, R. T. and J. A. Slater, "The True Bugs of the World
(Hemiptera: Heteroptera). Classification and Natural History." Cornell University Press, Ithaca,
New York, 336 pp. Appeared in: Annals of the Entomological Society of America 89(4):609-610.

Rider, D. A. and J. E. Eger, Jr. 1997. Names proposed and taxonomic publications by Lawrence
H. Rolston. Journal of the New York Entomological Society 103(4): [in press]

Rolston, L. H., D. A. Rider, A. Rolf, and J. Murray. 1996. A catalog of the Dinidoridae of the
world. Papua New Guinea Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 39(1):22-101.

Roseland, C. R. and Grosz, T. J. 1997. Comparative assay of sunflower beetle preferences for
twelve commercial hybrids. 19th Sunflower Research Workshop.

Vick, B. A. and L. D. Charlet. 1996. Comparative fatty acid composition and metabolism in larvae
of the red and of the gray sunflower seed weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). J. Kansas Entomol.
Soc. 69: 160-176.

Rana, R. L. and L. D. Charlet. 1997. Feeding behavior of the red and gray sunflower seed weevils
on cultivated sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. (in press).

Weiss, M. J. and G. Mcdonald. Effect of simulated and actual flea beetle injury to water-stressed
oilseed rape. Canad. J. Plant Sci. In Press.

Book or book chapters

Charlet, L. D. and G. J. Brewer. 1997. Management strategies for sunflower insect pests in North
America. In. Recent research developments in agronomy. Research Signpost (in press).

Charlet, L. D., G. J. Brewer & B. A. Franzmann. 1997. Insect pests. In Sunflower Science and
Technology, 2nd ed., Am. Soc. Agron. (in press).

Weiss, M. J. 1997. Grasshoppers. In Entomol. Soc. Am. Handbook of Corn Insects. [Eds.]
Steffey, K., J. All, D. Andow, M. Gray, M. Rice, and J. Van Duyn.

McLeod, M. and M. J. Weiss. 1997. White grubs: Phyllophaga. In Entomol. Soc. Am.
Handbook of Corn Insects. [Eds..] Steffey, K., J. All, D. Andow, M. Gray, M. Rice, and J.
Van Duyn.

Extension Bulletins and Non-refereed publications

Brewer, G. J. 1997. Midge & seed weevil still merit vigilance. The Sunflower 23 (3): 24-25.

Brewer, G. J. and L. Charlet. 1997. Sunflower midge: a proposal for future research. Proc.
19th Sunflower Research Workshop, Natl. Sunflower Assoc., Fargo, ND, 9-10 January 1997.
p. 43-48.

Carlson R.B., A.W. Anderson, R. Dregseth, A. Schroeder and L. J. Smith. 1997. Sugarbeet
Root Maggot Management Strategies, 1997. 1996 Sugarbeet Research and Extension Reports.

Carlson, R.B., A.W. Anderson, R. Dregseth, A. Schroeder and L. J. Smith. 1997. Control of the
Sugarbeet Root Maggot in The Red River Valley. 1996 Sugarbeet Research and Extension Reports.

Carlson, R.B., K.V. Pella and R.J. Dregseth, 1997. Sugarbeet Root Maggot Adult Testing for
Insecticide Resistance. 1996 Sugarbeet Research and Extension Reports.

Charlet, L. D. 1996. Impact of pest management strategies on the biological control of sunflower
insect pests. Abst. International Org. Bio. Control, International Conf., Technology transfer in
biological control: from research to practice, Montpellier, France, September 9-11, 1996. IOBC,
WPRS Bull. 19(8): 185.

Charlet, L. D. 1996. Pest management strategies for the sunflower stem weevil (Coleoptera:
Curculionidae) in the northern Great Plains. Proc. 14th Intern. Sunflower Conference, Intern.
Sunflower Assoc., Beijing, China, June 12-20, 1996. p. 505-510.

Charlet, L. D. 1997. Overwintering biology of the sunflower beetle, Zygogramma exclamationis
(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), and the impact of tillage on survival and emergence. Proc. 19th
Sunflower Research Workshop, Natl. Sunflower Assoc., Fargo, ND, 9-10 January 1997.
p. 29-34.

Charlet, L. D. and G. J. Brewer. 1996. Integrated pest management of sunflower insects.
Part IV. Plant resistance to insects. The Sunflower 22 (2): 24-25.

Charlet, L. D. & G. J. Brewer. 1996. Integrated pest management of sunflower insects.
Part III. Biological control via parasites, predators, diseases. The Sunflower 22 (1):24-26.

Peng, C., G. J. Brewer, L. D. Charlet, and P. A. Glogoza. 1997. Sunflower seed weevil
management. North Dakota Extension Service E-817 (revised).

Peng, C. and M. J. Weiss [Eds.]. 1997. Canola variety trials. NDSU Ext. Serv. and North Dakota
Agric. Exp. Sta. Bull. A-1124.

Woods, D. M. and L. D. Charlet. 1996. Survey for parasitoids of sunflower moth,
Homoeosoma electellum, p. 17. In L. G. Bezark [ed.], Biological control program annual
summary, 1995. Calif. Dept. Food and Agric., Div. Plant Industry, Sacramento, CA.

4. Presentations

Albertson, J. L. and D. A. Rider. 1996. The effects of prairie management strategies on prairie
plant bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) and treehoppers (Homoptera: Membracidae). North Dakota
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCOR), Research Experiences for
Undergraduates (REU) Annual Meeting, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 31 July 1996.

Anderson, P. A. , M. J. Weiss, and B. Schatz. 1997. Millet as a host for European corn borer,
Ostrina nubilalis. North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America Meeting.
Columbus, OH.

Brewer, G. J. 1996. Sunflower insects: We're back! Red seed weevils. North Dakota Agricultural
Experiment Station. Fall Conference.

Brewer, G. J. 1996. The sunflower midge and more. North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.
Fall Conference.

Brewer, G. J. 1997. Sunflower midge - a proposal for future research. Sunflower Research Forum.

Brewer, G. J. 1997. Acquisition and application of Bacillus thuringiensis to sunflower by
honeybees. Sunflower Research Forum.

Brewer, G. J. 1997. Red sunflower seed weevil outlook and management. Sunflower Research
Forum.

Carlson, R.B. and D. Mundal. Numerous field presentations to land managers, land owners,
scientists and other interested persons on collection and redistribution of biological control agents
for leafy spurge.

Charlet, L. D. 1996. Insect pests of sunflower in the northern plains and management strategies
for the sunflower stem weevil. Colo State Univ./USDA-ARS Central Plains Res. Station, Akron,
CO.

Charlet, L. D. 1996. Sunflower insect research in 1996. Extension Fall Conference, NDSU,
Fargo, ND.

Charlet, L. D. 1997. Past accomplishments and future research directions in sunflower entomology.
USDA-ARS National Program Review, Fargo, ND.

Charlet, L. D. 1996. Impact of pest management strategies on the biological control of sunflower
insect pests. International Conference on Technology Transfer in Biological Control: from research
to practice, International Organization for Biological Control, Montpellier, France

Charlet, L. D. 1997. Overwintering behavior and impact of tillage on sunflower beetle survival and
emergence. National Sunflower Association, Sunflower Research Forum, Fargo, ND.

Charlet, L. D. February 1997. Management of insect problems of sunflower. National Sunflower
Association Producer Meetings, Park River, ND and Thief River Falls, MN.

Comstock, C., E. Hugo, and D. A. Rider. 1996. Screening randomly amplified polymorphid
DNA (RAPD) primers as a possible means for determining population variation among spiders
of the genus Zelotes (Araneae: Gnaphosidae). North Dakota Experimental Program to Stimulate
Competitive Research (EPSCOR), Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Annual
Meeting, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 31 July 1996.

DeCock, L. B. and D. A. Rider. 1996. The effects of various prairie management strategies on
weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). North Dakota Experimental Program to Stimulate
Competitive Research (EPSCOR), Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Annual
Meeting, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 31 July 1996.

DiPirro, M. , P. Glogoza, and M. J. Weiss. 1997. The influence of cover crop on oviposition
of the white grub, Phyllophaga implicita. North Central Branch of the Entomological Society
of America Meeting. Columbus, OH.

Glogoza, P. A., M. J. Weiss, and T. Nowatzki. 1997. Wheat midge management program in
North Dakota. North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America Meeting.
Columbus, OH.

Milbrath, L. R. M. J. Schroeder and M. J. Weiss. 1996. Development of five grasshopper
species on various legume cover crops. Entomological Society of America Meeting. Louisville, KY.

Milbrath, L. R. and M. J. Weiss. 1997. Development and survival of the sweetclover weevil
parasitiod, Pygostolus falcatus. North Central Branch of the Entomological Society of America
Meeting. Columbus, OH.

Mundal, D. and R.B. Carlson. Invited Talk at Nebraska Weed Control Association Mtg. -
Managing Flea Beetle Insectaries.

Roseland, C.R. and Grosz, T. J. 1997. Comparative assay of sunflower beetle preferences for
twelve commercial hybrids. Proceedings of the 19th Sunflower Research Workshop. 19: 119-122.

Weiss, M. J. 1997. Wheat midge up-date. 1997 Wheat Commission Director's Meeting.
Bismarck, ND.

Weiss, M. J. 1997. IPM canola programs in North Dakota. Integrated Pest Management in
Canola Meeting. Winnipeg, Manitoba. [Invited]

Weiss, M. J. 1996. Opportunities for cooperation in entomology programs in North Dakota,
Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba. Western Forum on Pest Management Meeting.
Saskatoon, Sask., Canada (invited).

Weiss, M. J. 1997. Pesticide harmonization between Canada and the U.S. International
Farm Symposium. Cavalier, ND.

5. Symposia

Brewer, G. J. 1996. Role of plant resistance to insects and biological control in sustainable
pest management. Entomological Society of America. Moderator and organizer.

C. Outreachs

1. Tours

Weiss, M. J. 1996. Wheat midge management. (Several evening tours were conducted in
north central North Dakota to educate growers on this new insect threat to wheat
production in our state, an estimated 500 growers attended the tours over a 5 night period)

2. Professional service
Entomology faculty are involved in outreach to constituents and to peer groups through
our professional society activities.

Brewer, G. J. Served as Ex officio member of University of Minnesota, Department of
Entomology field crops/IPM position to be based at Crookston, MN.

Charlet, L. D. Member of Editorial Board for Entomological Society of America,
Arthropod Management Tests Journal (1995-2000).

Charlet, L. D. President-Elect of the International Organization of Biological Control,
Nearctic Regional Section (1997-1998)

Charlet, L D. and C. R. Roseland. Organizers for Joint Sunflower Research Group,
monthly meeting (October through April) to present and discuss information of mutual
interest on sunflower production.

Charlet, L. D. Invited to visit eastern Colorado to consult on stem weevil problem and on
sunflower pest management. Colorado State University and USDA-ARS Central Plains
Research Station at Akron. July 1996.

Charlet, L. D. Judge for student competition at the Entomological Society of America
Annual Meeting, 8-12 December 1996, Louisville, KY.

Charlet, L. D. Represented USDA-ARS at Tri-College Job Fair, 28 January 1997,
Fargo, ND.

Charlet, L. D. Member of the National Sunflower Variety Review Board of the Association
of Official Seed Certifying Agencies.

Rider, D. A. Over 120 extension type calls, many of which required insect identifications.
This service is provided for all who needs it including faculty and staff, extension personnel,
state entomologist, and the public.

Rider, D. A. The ND State Insect Reference Collection received and sent insect specimen
loans for research projects and some for identification.

Roseland, C., R. Judged projects for the Regional Science Fair of North Dakota for Junior
and Senior High School Students.

Weiss, M. J. 1997-2002. Editorial board for Environmental Entomology, representing
section F, Crop Protection.

Peer reviews

Brewer, G. J. National Research Initiative. 2 proposals.

Roseland, C. R. Annals of the Entomological Society.

Charlet, L. D. National Sunflower Association research proposals.

Rider, D. A. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, manuscript number
A97-032.

Rider, D. A. National Science Foundation, proposal number DEB-9711553.

Host Visiting Scientists

Brewer, G. J. 1996. Dr. Dong Baichun, Jilin Provincial Sunflower Research Institute, China.

Faculty Awards

Glogoza, P., M. J. Weiss, et al. 1996. NDSU Extension Service Program in Excellence
Award, Large Team category.

3. Alumni events

none

4. Fund-raising

see grants and contracts

5. Community

Carey, D. and D. A. Rider. Seventy to 80 presentations to K-12 and other youth groups
are made per year. D. Carey gives most of the presentations but the ND State Insect
Reference Collection (NDSIRC) staff and other faculty also give presentations. The
NDSIRC develops and maintains many of the insect exhibits used in these presentations.
The NDSIRC has entered into an agreement with the Red River Zoological Society to
help develop and staff entomological displays for their future zoo. Museum staff are also
responsible for the maintenance of the entomological displays located in the east hallway.

D. New Initiatives

1. Cultural diversity

2. Affirmative action / equal opportunity

Our graduate student program is a mixture of international and US students and men and
women. Five of our twelve graduate students are women and 3 are international students.

Two new faculty have been hired, one of them is a woman.

3. Cooperative programming / interdisciplinary efforts

The department is active along with the departments of Plant Pathology and Plant Science
in the interdisciplinary Plant Protection major.

4. International activities

none

5. Economic development

See grants and contracts. Most of the efforts at crop protection have as part of their
program, efforts to mitigate or prevent economic loss from pest insects. The biological
control of leafy spurge project (a cooperative projects with several NDSU departments
and other agencies) has as its goal the economic development of rangeland.

6. Assessment

Efforts continue to revise the department PTE document. R. B. Carlson chaired the college
PTE committee which is also revising the college document.

7. Addressing institutional purposes

The Departments mission as stated in the Departmental Strategic Plan mirrors the triparte
mission of NDSU as a Land-Grant University, research, teaching and service. Extension
entomology provides formal service to clientele in the state and region (see extension and non-refereed publications in section B.3 and tours in section C.1). K-12 service is
provided by a vigorous outreach program (see section C.4).

8. College planning functions / activities / accomplishments

The department hired two faculty into positions identified as priority positions by the
College of Agriculture. The first position will service the sugar beet industry and will
work cooperatively with a newly hired UM entomologist to be stationed at Crookston.
The second position will work in the area of biological control. We have initiated a
national search for a department head.

E. Information Requested by President Plough

1. Enrollment management and retention

No activity

2. Senior professors teaching freshmen

Entomology does not offer an undergraduate major but two service courses do have
undergraduate enrollment. Entomology 210, Humans, insects and the Environment, is taught
by G. J. Brewer, Professor and Interim Chair. Entomology 350, General Entomology, is a
modular course and was taught by Associate Professor D. A. Rider, Professor R. B. Carlson,
and Research Assistant Dr. P. Kmec.

3. Outreach activities

Entomology has extensive k-12 and youth activities, see section C.4.

Working with landowners to implement biological control of leafy spurge.

4. Summer school planning

Entomology does not offer formal courses in the summer. Our research programs, including
graduate student research, are largely focused on crop protection and natural systems and
thus are necessarily done during the summer season.

F. Other Goals

A major goal of the department of entomology is to strengthen the faculty by filling vacant
positions and by having in place a permanent chair. Two faculty have recently been hired
and their programs will need to be developed. The successful recruitment of a department
chair will further enhance the department.

II. Other

A. Future plans / challenges and program strengths

As was noted in our 1995 CSRS review, Entomology is strong and productive in pest
management and teaching. We have further strengthened our pest management research
program by the hiring of two new faculty with IPM emphasis.

The review team found extension to be weak due to insufficient resources, not because of
staff. At that time there was 1 extension FTE in Entomology. While we haven't been able to
increase our extension resources, the responsibility for extension Entomology has been split
between two people. This will allow each extension faculty to develop a research program to complement their extension activities.

A remaining challenge is to increase graduate student enrollment. The CSRS team found
that we had a strong teaching program. However, at times classes are canceled due to low enrollment and this impacts graduate student education. Our current graduate student
enrollment of 12 needs to be increased so that all classes can be offered as scheduled.

B. Assessment data use

Although little assessment activity was done in the past year, the faculty have expressed
interest in collecting long term assessment data to improve the quality of graduate
education. An assessment committee headed by Dr. Craig Roseland will make
recommendations to the department.

III. Appendix

A. Enrollment and FTE data

Number of graduate students currently enrolled: 12

Budgeted FTE - 1.16,     Produced FTE - 1.09,      Earned FTE - 0.93

 

Entomology Home
	Department of Entomology, 202 Hultz Hall   North Dakota State University, Fargo ND  Dr. David Rider, Interim Chair  Phone: 701-231-7582	updated 21 August, 2006