Ames Herbert, PhD
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Develop (Research - 25%) and implement (Extension -75%) programs to improve management of insect pests of soybean, peanut, cotton and small grains that reduce reliance on pesticides while maintaining crop quality and profitability. Produce timely and germane articles for the agricultural press and peer-reviewed publications, and make presentations using a variety of content-based media appropriate for grower, agency, industry and academic audiences. Serve as major advisor and mentor to graduate students. Work collaboratively with grower and industry groups, Extension agents, university and agency personnel. Provide leadership to departmental, college, VCE and university committees and programs. Currently, the State IPM Coordinator and Extension Project Leader for the Department of Entomology. Current projects include research with use of soybean leaf area (LAI) to assess insect defoliation and aid in management decisions, evaluation of GMO insect-resistant cotton varieties and development of new thresholds for hemipterous pests of cotton, evaluation of peanut cultivars and tobacco thrips management practices for limiting incidence and losses to tomato spotted wilt virus, survey and management of stink bug species in soybean, survey and assessment of native stink bug egg parasitoid species, and research on efficacy of insecticide seed treatments for control of early season insect pests of cotton, small grain and soybean. Future goals include assessing OMRI approved insecticides for control of insect pests of peanut and for managing stink bugs in row and vegetable crop
Blurb last modified at 2007-07-23 15:05:11.0.
Professional Memberships
- American Peanut Research and Education Society
- Entomological Society of America
- Virginia Crop Production Association
Personnel
- Student
- Wage or Other Employees
Former Students and Faculty Associates
- David Moore II (2006) - Branch Entomologist covering the Washington D.C. area for Steri-Tech Inc.
- Janet L Ashley (2003) - VCE Area Specialist, Vegetable Production (email: jaashle2vt.edu)
- T. Horner (2002) - APHIS
- Sean Malone (2001) - Research Scientest Senior (email: smalone@vt.edu)
- Ginny Barnes (2000) - Sales Representative, Pioneer Seeds
- Robert Ihrig (1998) - Corn Technology Specialist, Monsanto Company
- William J. Petka Jr. (1995) - Sales Representative, Monsanto Company
Projects
- Bioassays of acaricides with twospotted spider mite
Management for twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, populations in peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., relies on acaricides. The outcomes of acaricide applications are most predictable when complete information on their toxicity and specificity is available. Specifically, the degrees to which acaricides impact different stages of T. urticae and natural enemies combined determine the overall efficacy of an acaricide application. The objectives of this study were to determine stage-specific direct and residual efficacies of three acaricides (fenpropathrin, etoxazole, and propargite) against T. urticae, and the direct and residual toxicity of the acaricides to Orius insidiosus (Say) adults. Direct toxicity of acaricides to T. urticae was measured on peanut cuttings. All acaricide treatments caused significant mortality to a mixed stage population of T. urticae, and mortality did not differ among the acaricides 7d after treatment. When toxicity to eggs was tested, the proportion of eggs that hatched for all acaricide treatments was significantly lower than the control, with etoxazole and propargite causing 100% mortality. Exposure to acaricide residues caused 30% mortality of T. urticae adults 1 and 2 d after treatment and was not significantly different from the control. Fenpropathrin and propargite caused 100% mortality and etoxazole caused 50% mortality of O. insidious adults after direct exposure to the acaricides. Residual toxicity of acaricides to O. insidiosus adults varied but remained toxic to O. insidiosus longer than to T. urticae. Fenpropathrin had the longest residual effect on O. insidiosus adults, causing 95% mortality after 14 d; etoxazole and propargite caused 30% mortality after 14 d.
- Boll removal studies in cotton
In developing management strategies for hemipteran pests in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), it is important to understand the potential of plants to compensate for loss of the fruiting structures. Because of its northern latitude, Virginia has fewer available heat units relative to other cotton-producing states. Therefore, there may be limited opportunity for compensation relative to more southerly production areas. Previous work in Virginia demonstrated that cotton can sustain relatively high levels of first position square loss with no yield loss. This study evaluated the impact of a single event loss of 10 to 14-d-old bolls via mechanical removal on cotton lint yields with the premise that boll loss would have greater impact than square loss as less time and fewer heat units are available for compensation. Field experiments examining four levels of boll removal (0, 5, 15, and 20%) were conducted in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Each boll removal level was imposed at three different dates, beginning 2 wks after first flower and at 3- to 5-day intervals thereafter. Yields ranged from 1103 to 1422 in 2001, 909 to 1124 in 2002, and 843 to 1015 kg lint per ha in 2003. There were no significant differences in lint yields among the boll removal dates or removal levels. The results of our study showed that cotton in Virginia, which approaches the northernmost latitude for cotton production, is capable of sustaining losses as high as 20% of 10 to 14-d-old bolls at a single removal event without affecting lint yield. Results were consistent despite the wide variation in rainfall and temperatures during the three study years.
- Cotton insect pest management program
Cotton acreage has increased dramatically in Virginia in the last few years. It is a viable alternative to other less profitable row crops and fits well into crop rotation programs in the areas it is grown. In Virginia, cotton is in its northernmost location in the US and therefore experiences a unique combination of insect pest problems. Each year, numerous field experiments are conducted at the Tidewater AREC to evaluate common pests (primarily tobacco thrips and cotton bollworm) and to develop management programs. Among the many objectives are evaluating compensation ability and yield impact after pest damage, determining the most efficient timings and application systems for standard pesticides, evaluating GMO insect-resistant varieties and new alternative pesticides, and developing and improving control decision guidelines.
- Improved management of aphid-vectored barley yellow dwarf virus in small grains.
Field studies are underway to evaluate grain aphid populations, strain and occurrence of BYDV in the crop and in associated alternate weed hosts, timing and impact of various insecticide treatments, incidence and severity of BYDV and impact on yield. Five grain aphid pest species are being monitored using yellow, plastic pan traps located in and around the test field, above ground inspection of plant leaves, and below ground inspection of plant stems and roots. Virus is being evaluated in the crop and most common potential weed hosts using the ELISA technique on random samples taken each 6-8 weeks throughout the season. Both seed and foliar insecticide applications are being evaluated for impact on aphid populations, incidence of the disease and impact on crop yields. Results have revealed a new aphid pest species, the rice root aphid, as a potential major source of virus. Pan traps appear to provide a better indication of the species present and their relative abundance, compared with plant and soil samples. About 21 alternate virus hosts have been identified and show positive for the strains also found in the crop. Both seed and well-timed foliar insecticide treatments have provided significant reductions in the incidence and severity of the virus, and increased yields.
- Mid-Atlantic Photo Insect ID Guide
Accurate identification of insect pest and beneficial species is essential to practicing IPM. However, proper identification of insect pests continues to challenge growers and agriservice personnel involved in pest management in field crops. An IPM survey of Virginia corn, soybean, and wheat growers found that many often misidentified insect pests. Inaccurate pest identifications often lead to unnecessary or off-label pesticide applications. Photographs of insect pests are available in numerous books, but they often include many insects not found in this region, and omit some of our major pest species. Likewise, several Internet sites with high-quality photographs exist, but results of the recent Virginia IPM survey show that a small percent of growers are accessing these sites. With this stakeholder identified need, I was successful in obtaining two outside grants (USDA-CSREES-SRIPM and VDACS) totaling $32,066 to develop a simple, pocket-sized, full color, durable field ID guide for insect pests and beneficials common to the Mid-Atlantic region. In cooperation with Extension specialists in Virginia, Delaware and Maryland I developed a coil bound, laminated, pocket-sized guide with clear, high-resolution full-color photos of 40 insect pests and 10 benefical insects of soybean, corn and small grains. Insects are grouped by commodity, along with keys for easy separation of most commonly misidentified species. Ten thousand copies were produced and are being distributed across the mid-Atlantic region.
- Peanut insect pest management program
Peanut is an important commodity in southeast Virginia supplying both in-shell and gourmet kernel markets. A variety of insect pests have the potential to reduce kernel quality and gross pod yields. One of the most challenging is southern corn rootworm, a soil pest that feeds on developing pods reducing yield and allowing entry of secondary rotting organisms. An IPM program has been developed that uses a risk index to aid growers in mangement.
- Role of insecticides in reducing incidence of tomato spotted wilt virus in peanut
Tomato spotted wilt virus (genus Tospovirus, family Bunyaviridae, TSWV), transmitted by many thrips species, is one of the most devastating pathogens of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Recently, TSWV has become a serious problem in the Virginia/Carolina peanut growing region of the United States. During 2002, TSWV was present in 47% of the North Carolina hectarage and caused a 5% yield reduction in Virginia. Factors that influence levels of TSWV in runner market-type peanut cultivars, which are primarily grown in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Texas have been integrated into a risk advisory to help those peanut growers reduce losses. However, there are inherent differences between runner and virginia market-type peanut cultivars which are primarily grown in the Virginia/Carolina region. In 2003, a preliminary risk advisory was released for virginia market-type peanut grown in the Virginia/Carolina region. One factor in both advisories is the use of insecticides to reduce the vector populations and disease incidence. This research elucidated the influence of insecticides on thrips populations, thrips plant injury, incidence of TSWV, and pod yield in virginia market-type peanut. Eight field trials from 2003 to 2005 were conducted at two locations. In-furrow application of aldicarb and phorate resulted in significant levels of thrips control, significant reductions in thrips injury to seedlings and incidence of TSWV, and significant increases in pod yield. Foliar application of acephate following aldicarb or phorate applied in the seed furrow further reduced thrips plant injury and incidence of TSWV and also improved yield. These findings will be used to improve the current virginia market-type TSWV index.
- Soybean Insect Pest Management Program
Soybean is one of the most important row crops in Virginia with almost 500,000 acres planted annually. The primary insect pest is the corn earworm that feeds directly on pods. A large-scale IPM program is in place to promote good management practices that includes annual monitoring, weekly pest advisories and a web-based economic threshold calculator. New projects are in place to develop management programs for invasive species inlcuding the soybean aphid and the brown marmorated stink bug.
- Virginia Ag Pest Advisory
A new electronic newsletter, the Virginia Ag Pest Advisory, was created to improve dissemination of IPM information. In the past, clientele could receive a jumble of information regarding pest management, often from several different sources. In July 2004 we launched the Virginia Ag Pest Advisory (http://www.sripmc.org/virginia) in cooperation with the Southern Region IPM Center in Raleigh, NC. The advisory is a database-driven website that compiles pest updates from multiple IPM specialists. Specialists enter their update(s) at a time that is convenient and each entry is categorized by commodity and pest group and identified by a brief title. The compiled advisory in a newsletter format is automatically emailed once a week to the recipient list (currently over 350 individuals). Individual entries can be viewed, or the entire newsletter. The advantage of this system to the recipient is that it is a single-source provider of updated pest information?everything is in one location and users become accustomed to having it delivered at the same time each week.
Resources
- Agricultural Experiment Station Facilities → website
Access to heavy machinery and test plots of various crops is possible at Blacksburg and other experiment stations throughout the state. Field studies are also done on land owned by cooperators not associated with the university. In all cases arrangements for use of these facilities is made through the Major Professor. Success of such arrangements depends upon good will, responsibility, and commitment of all concerned parties.
- Cotton Production Guide
Refereed, last 5 years
- Kamminga, K., Herbert, Jr, D. A., Kuhar, T. P., Malone, S. 2009. Field trials and laboratory bioassays assessing efficacy of insecticides from three classes against Acrosternum hilare and Euschistus servus adults and nymphs. J. Entomol. Sci. 44: 1-10.
- Koppel, A. L., Herbert, Jr, D. A., Kuhar, T. P., Kamminga, K. 2009. Survey of stink bug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) egg parasitoids in wheat, soybean and vegetable crops in Southeast Virginia. . Environ Entomol. 38: 375-379.
- Herbert, Jr, D. A., Malone, S., Kuhar, T. P., Portillo, H. E., Saeini, J. P., Williams, R. W. 2008. Adult corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) susceptibility to methomyl. . Online. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2008-0312-01-RS
- Fleischer, S. ., Payne, G., Kuhar, T. P., Herbert, Jr, D. A., Malone, S., Whalen, J., Dively, G., Johnson, D., Hebberger, J. A., Ingerson-mahar, J., Miller, D., Isard, S. 2007. Helicoverpa zea trends from the Northeast: Suggestions towards collaborative mapping of migration and pyrethroid susceptibility. Online. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2007-0719-03-RV
- Herbert, Jr, D. A., Malone, S., Aref, S., Brandenburg, R. L., Jordan, D. L., Royals, B. M., Johnson, P. D. 2007. The role of insecticides in reducing thrips injury to plants and incidence of tomato spotted wilt virus in virginia market-type peanut. J. Econ. Entomol. (in press).
- Ashley, J. L., Herbert, Jr, D. A., Lewis, E. ., Brewster, C. C., Huckaba, R. M. 2006. Toxicity of three acaricides to Tetranychus urticae (Tetranychidae: Acari) and Orius insidiosus (Anthocoridae: Hemiptera).. Journal of Economic Entomology 99: 54-59
- Herbert, Jr, D. A., Malone, S., Aref, S., Faircloth, J., Abaye, A. 2006. Boll removal studies provide insights into compensation ability of Virginia cotton: a necessary step for further improvement of insect management strategies. J. Entomol. Sci., 41:147-154.
- Hagood, E., Baudoin, A., Day, E. R., Derr, J., Eisenback, J. D., Faircloth, J., Grisso, R., Herbert, Jr, D. A., Hipkins, P. L., Johnson, C. S., Kuhar, T. P., Pfeiffer, D. G., Phipps, P., Semtner, P. J., Speese, III, J., Stromberg, E., Waldenmaier, C., Wilson, H., Yoder, K., Youngman, R. R. 2005. Agricultural Plant Pest Control: A Guide for Agricultural Plant Pest Managers in Virginia (270 pp). Va. Coop. Ext. pub. 456-214
- Herbert, Jr, D. A., Malone, S., Brandenburg, R. L., Royals, B. M. 2005. Evaluation of the southern corn rootworm advisory for peanut. Peanut Sci., 31:28-32.
- Malone, S., Herbert, Jr, D. A., Kuhar, T. P. 2005. A survey process for assessing impact of an email-delivered pest advisory.. Online. J. Extension. 43:5 Article No. 5RIB2.
- Malone, S., Herbert, Jr, D. A., Pheasant, S. 2004. Determining adoption of IPM practices by grain farmers in Virginia. J. Extension, 42:4.
- Horner, T., Dively, G., Herbert, Jr, D. A. 2003. Development, survival, and fitness performance of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in MON810 Bt field corn. J. Econ. Entomol., 96:914-924.
- Horner, T., Dively, G., Herbert, Jr, D. A. 2003. Effects of MON810 Bt field corn on adult emergence of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). J. Econ. Entomol., 96:925-930.
- Johnson, B. F., Bailey, W. A., Wilson, H., Holshouser, D. L., Herbert, Jr, D. A. 2002. Herbicide effects on visible injury, leaf area, and yield of glyphosate-resistant soybean (Glycine max). Weed Technol., 16:554-566.
- Malone, S., Herbert, Jr, D. A. 2002. Evaluation of the LAI-2000 plant canopy analyzer to estimate leaf area in manually defoliated soybean. Agron. J., 94:1012-1019.
- Malone, S., Herbert, Jr, D. A. 2002. Relationship between leaf area index and yield in double-crop and full-season soybean systems. J. Econ. Entomol., 95:945-951.
- Kamminga, K., Herbert, Jr, D. A., Kuhar, T. P., Malone, S., Koppel, A. L. 0. Efficacy of insecticides against Acrosternum hilare and Euschistus servus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Virginia and North Carolina. (Accepted to J. Entomol. Sci.) . J. Entomol. Sci.
- Koppel, A. L., Herbert, Jr, D. A., Kuhar, T. P., Kamminga, K. 0. Survey of stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) egg parasitoids in wheat, soybean and vegetable crops in Southeast Virginia. . Environ. Entomol.
