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Home → People → J Christopher Bergh, PhD

J Christopher Bergh, PhD

Title Associate Professor Phone (540) 869-2560 E-Mail cbergh@vt.edu Address Alson H. Smith, Jr. AREC 595 Laurel Grove Road Winchester, VA 22602 FAX: (540) 869-0862

My assignment (75% research: 25% extension) allows for research on pest and beneficial arthropods on a broad range of high-value horticultural crops, including grapes and ornamentals, but with emphasis on tree fruit. Where possible, my research efforts focus on pests that overlap commodity groups. Ongoing pesticide regulatory and registration changes have created a major impetus for research that addresses sustainable, practical and profitable management practices for arthropod pests of tree fruit and other agricultural crops. My goal is to develop, validate and implement arthropod pest monitoring and management strategies that promote the most effective, efficient and judicious use of pesticides through increased reliance on environmentally sound and pragmatic tactics that remain cognizant of end-user constraints. My work on the ecology and behavior of pest and beneficial species encompasses both applied and basic research, emphasizing the development of alternative, environmentally benign tactics based on manipulating the behavior of pest insects.

My outreach and extension responsibilities encompass service to the public and to producers of horticultural crops grown in northern Virginia. As a member of an Agricultural Research and Extension Center, an important part of my extension role is familiarity with the relative efficacy of chemistries registered for pest management and the ability to advise growers and the public about the beneficial and adverse consequences of their use. My extension programs adhere to the basic tenet of Integrated Pest Management (i.e., the most judicious use of pesticides). Emphasis is placed on educating growers and extension agents about new management tactics, including spray timing in accordance with phenology models, monitoring using pheromone traps, mating disruption and biological control. Timely, novel, and educational information on pest management and regulatory issues is provided to stakeholders using both traditional and technological approaches. My extension research focuses on demonstration trials using newly-registered, reduced-risk pesticides and pesticide alternatives in commercial apple orchards.

Website

Tree Fruit Pest Management

www.vaes.org.vt.edu/AHSMITHJAREC/Bergh/

Recent publications

Bergh, J.C. and B.D. Short. 2007. Ecological and life-history notes on syrphid predators of woolly apple aphid in Virginia, with emphasis on Heringia calcarata. BioControl. In press.

Vitullo, J., S. Wang, A. Zhang, C. Mannion and J.C. Bergh. 2007. Comparison of sex pheromone traps for monitoring pink hibiscus mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 100: 405-410.

Zhang, A., S. Wang, J. Vitullo, A. Roda, C. Mannion and J.C. Bergh. 2006. Olfactory discrimination among sex pheromone stereoisomers: Chirality recogntion by pink hibiscus mealybug males. Chem. Senses 31: 621-626.

Bergh, J.C., T.C. Leskey, J.M Sousa and A. Zhang. 2006. Diel periodicity of emergence and pre-mating reproductive behaviors of adult dogwood borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). Environ. Ent. 35: 435-442.

Bergh, J.C. 2006. Trapping grape root borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) in vineyard and non-vineyard habitats in Virginia. J. Entomol. Sci. 41: 253-256.

Leskey, T.C., J.C. Bergh, J.F. Walgenbach and A. Zhang. 2006. Attractiveness and specificity of pheromone baited traps for male dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula Harris (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). Environ. Ent. 35: 268-275.

Leskey, T.C. and J.C. Bergh. 2005. Factors promoting infestation of newly planted, non-bearing apple orchards by dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula Harris (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 98: 2121-2132.

Bergh, J.C., D.G. Pfeiffer and K.P. Love. 2005. Survey of grape root borer using pheromone traps in Virginia vineyards. J. Entomol. Sci. 40: 337-342.

Zhang, A., T.C. Leskey, J.C. Bergh and J.F. Walgenbach. 2005. Sex pheromone of the dogwood borer (DWB), Synanthedon scitula. J. Chem. Ecol. 31: 2463-2479.

Short, B.D. and J.C. Bergh. 2005. Separation of three common hover fly predators of woolly apple aphid based on the exochorionic sculpturing of eggs. Can. Entomol. 137: 67-70.

Short, B.D. and J.C. Bergh. 2004. Feeding and egg distribution studies of Heringia calcarata (Loew) (Diptera: Syrphidae), a specialized predator of the woolly apple aphid (Homoptera: Eriosomatidae), in Virginia apple orchards. J. Econ. Entomol. 97: 813-819.

Bergh, J.C., T.C. Leskey and A. Zhang. 2004. Discrimination by male dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) among traps baited with commercially available pheromone lures. J. Econ. Entomol. 97: 344-352.

Leskey, T.C. and J.C. Bergh. 2003. A simple character for sex differentiation of pupae and pupal exuviae of the dogwood borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). Florida Entomol. 86 378-380.

Bergh, J.C. and T.C. Leskey. 2003. Biology, ecology and management of dogwood borer in eastern apple orchards. Can. Entomol. 135: 615-635.

Bergh, J.C., C.W. McCoy and B.S. Otieno. 2002. Diel periodicity of emergence of adult citrus rust mite (Acari: Eriophyidae) in central Florida. Exp. and Appl. Acarol. 26: 169-185.

Bergh, J.C. 2001. Ecology and aerobiology of dispersing citrus rust mites (Acari: Eriophyidae) in central Florida. Environ. Entomol. 30:318-326.

Bergh, J.C. and J.V. French. 2000. A method for harvesting and shipping live citrus rust mites (Acari: Eriophyidae). Florida Entomol. 83:370-374.

Recent Grants

Bergh, J.C., T.C. Leskey, J.M. Walgenbach and A. Zhang. 2007. Development of an effective mating disruption formulation for the dogwood borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) to reduce reliance on organophosphate pesticides in apple orchards . USDA Pest Management Alternatives Program. $246,969

Bergh, J.C. and C.M. Mannion. 2007. Biotic factors associated with the spread and suppression of pink hibiscus mealybug. USDA CSREES Southern Region Integrated Pest Management Program. $77,929 (pending appropriations)

Walgenbach, J.F, A.M. Agnello, J.P. Nyrop, W.H. Reissig, P.W. Shearer, D.J. Biddinger, G. Krawczyk, L.A. Hull, J.K. Harper, L.J. Gut and J.C. Bergh. 2006. Development of cost-competitive programs using reduced-risk tactics to manage arthropod pests in eastern apple and peach production regions. USDA CSREES Risk Avoidance and Mitigation Program. $1,685,823 (Virginia budget, $260,689)

Bergh, J.C. 2006. Behavioral and developmental responses of grape root borer larvae to roots of native and commercial grape. Virginia Wine Growers Advisory Board $6,018

Bergh, J.C. 2006. Comparing management programs for internal worms: The effects of intensive late-season inputs. Virginia Apple Research Program $6,037

Bergh, J.C., T.C. Leskey, J.F. Walgenbach, A. Zhang and W.E. Klingeman. 2005. Pheromone based management of dogwood borer. USDA CSREES Southern Region Integrated Pest Management Program. $151,827

Bergh, J.C. 2005. Development of acoustic emissions detection technology for grape root borer in eastern vineyards. USDA CSREES Viticulture Consortium - East. $12,436

Bergh, J.C. 2005. Monitoring the seasonal phenology and pesticide susceptibility of lepidopteran pests of tree fruit using pheromone traps. Virginia Apple Research Program. $6,947

Zhang, A. and J.C. Bergh. 2004. Semiochemicals for the pink hibiscus mealybug and other invasive species. USDA ARS Cooperative award. $80,000

Bergh, J.C. and D.G. Pfeiffer. 2004. New approaches for detection and management of grape root borer in Virginia vineyards. Virginia Agricultural Council. $10,000

Bergh, J.C., T.C. Leskey, A. Zhang and J.F. Walgenbach. 2003. Development of improved monitoring techniques and decision tools for the dogwood borer, Synanthedon scitula Harris, in southern apple orchards. USDA CSREES Southern Region Integrated Pest Management Program. $80,425

Bergh, J.C. and D.G. Pfeiffer. 2003. Targeting late-season oriental fruit moth populations using sprayable pheromone. Virginia Apple Research Program. $9,447

Bergh, J.C. and T.C. Leskey. 2002. Insect-plant interactions and biology of dogwood borer in apple. Virginia Agricultural Council. $6,000

Patents

Zhang, A., T.C. Leskey and J.C. Bergh. 2006. Female sex pheromone of the dogwood borer (DWB), Synanthedon scitula, and attraction inhibitor (antagonist). US Patent No. 11/372,173

Blurb last modified at 2007-04-27 16:24:14.0.

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