All Projects

Analysis of the Biological Control of Noxious Weeds: Yellow starthistle

The invasive weed yellow starthistle (YST) (Centaurea solstitialis) and its interactions with annual grasses and herbivorous biological control agents is used to demonstrate the utility of the PBDM approach for analyzing complex invasive species problems. The PBDM model accurately predicts the distribution and relative abundance of YST across the western USA, and the results are … Continue reading Analysis of the Biological Control of Noxious Weeds: Yellow starthistle →

Coffee/Coffee Borer System

The coffee production system consisting of models for coffee growth and development, coffee/coffee berry borer (CBB) dynamics, and the role of the CBB parasitoids and complementary strategies for control of CBB have been modeled and analyzed. The CBB model is based on a prior model by Gutierrez et al. (1998) with the following modifications: Refinements … Continue reading Coffee/Coffee Borer System →

Analysis of the Biological Control of Cassava Pests In SubSaharan Africa (with IITA Nigeria)

Models for cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) growth, development and yields as modified by weather, soil water and nitrogen, and natural enemies were developed. Rainfall-induced mortality and plant carbohydrate stress were the major determinants of P. manihoti population patterns prior to the introduction of exotic natural enemies. The cassava model was the basis for examining  the … Continue reading Analysis of the Biological Control of Cassava Pests In SubSaharan Africa (with IITA Nigeria) →

Light Brown Apple Moth

The highly polyphagous light brown apple moth (LBAM) (Epiphyas postvittana (Walk.): Tortricidae) is indigenous to Australia and was first found in California in 2006.  It is currently found in 15 coastal counties in California, but nowhere has it reached outbreak status.  The USDA projects the geographic range of LBAM will include much of Arizona and … Continue reading Light Brown Apple Moth →

European Grapevine Moth

The European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana (Den. and Schiff.)) is the principal native pest of grape berries in Europe. It was found in Napa County, California in 2009 and has since spread to six additional counties suggesting it is well established. The goal of our study was to predict the potential geographic distribution and relative … Continue reading European Grapevine Moth →