Training

Division of Effort

Research
50%, Development of insect pest management strategies for greenhouse floral crops

Extension
50%, Extension/implementation of insect pest management strategies for greenhouse floral crops

Program Overview And Objectives For Next 5 Years

Because floral crops are sold for their beauty, there is a zero-tolerance for pests or their damage, which has led to multiple, routine pesticide applications. However, pesticide resistance (Sanderson & Roush 1992), and many other problems related to reliance on pesticides for arthropod management, have made growers interested in cost-effective pest management tactics that maximize the use of alternatives to pesticides. Thus, my research/extension program has emphasized the development and implementation of least-toxic IPM strategies. Research areas have included, and will continue to include: 1) evaluations of the use of various natural enemies for pest management, including their possible integration with selective pesticides (e.g., Zhang & Sanderson 1990, Zchori-Fein et al. 1994, Sanderson & Zhang 1995); 2) evaluating the use of plant resistance, including transgenic floral plants, and the interactions between the plant, pest, and natural enemy, to determine how plant resistance will integrate with other control tactics; and 3) the use of quantitative control-decision tools such as sampling plans (Sanderson & Zhang 1995, Sanderson et al. in press) and population simulation models. Research also explores the underlying mechanisms of the effectiveness of natural enemies (Zhang & Sanderson 1993). Most research to date has involved whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Bemisia argentifolii) and spider mites (Tetranychus urticae).

The overall goal of my extension program is to encourage the adoption of cost-effective, least-toxic pest management strategies by greenhouse growers. Specific objectives include identifying the pest management needs of the industry through contacts with researchers, extension field staff, IPM scouts, growers, and other industry personnel; providing this clientele with up-to-date training, information, and educational resources; and facilitating statewide and regional interactions regarding greenhouse IPM among researchers and extension personnel. Among the multitude of floral crops, my program has emphasized IPM for poinsettias, because of their relatively simple pest complex, crop value, and popularity. Implementing the poinsettia IPM program has promoted the adoption of IPM concepts for other floral crops.

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Professional Experience

• 1994-present Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, Cornell University
• 1987-1994 Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, Cornell University
• 1986 Post-doctoral Research Scientist, Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside
• 1982-1986 Graduate Research Associate, Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside

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Professional Activities(1990 to present)

A. Professional Societies

• International Organization for Biological Control, Nearctic Regional Section:
  Convener, IOBC Working Group on Biological and Integrated Control in Glasshouses
  Northeast Working Group for Applied Biocontrol
  Whitefly Working Group, Nearctic Regional Section
• Entomological Society of America
  Co-Chair, 1993 ESA Eastern Branch Meeting, Williamsburg, VA
  1993 ESA Eastern Branch Symposium, Co-organizer/Moderator: "Advances in whitefly research in the Eastern Branch"
• Member, Executive Committee, USDA Interagency Sweetpotato Whitefly ad hoc Working Group
• Northeast Greenhouse IPM Workgroup (Organizer)
• USDA IR-4 Ornamentals Steering Committee, 1990
• New York State Flower Industries Committee on Government Affairs
• Society of American Florists
• The Ohio Florists' Association

B. Honor Societies

• Phi Beta Kappa
• Sigma Xi
• Gamma Sigma Delta

C. University and College Committees

• Field of Plant Protection M.P.S. Graduate Student Admissions Committee, 1990-present
• Greenhouse Interdepartmental Program Committee/Statewide Horticulture Program Committee, Greenhouse Subgroup, 1987-present
• NYS IPM Program Grant Review Committee - Ornamentals, 1987-present
• Project Coordinator, CALS Insect & Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, 1990-1992
• Cornell Controlled Environment Agriculture Work Group, 1989-present
• CALS Ad Hoc Committee: Orientation Program for New Extension Faculty, 1995-96

D. Department/Field Committees

• Department Extension Leader, 7/95 - present Acting Department Chair 7/94, 1/96
• Executive Committee, 1994-present
• Entomology Insectary/Greenhouse Committee, Chair, 1990-present
• Field of Entomology Graduate Student Admissions Committee, 1988-90
• Long Island Entomology Position Search Committee, 1990, 1992
• Field Crops Entomology Research/Teaching Position Search Committee, Chair, 1990
• Apiculturist Position Search Committee, Chair, 1995

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Publications

Sanderson, J. P. & Z-Q. Zhang. 1995. Dispersion, sampling, and potential for integrated control of twospotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) on greenhouse roses. J. Econ. Entomol. 88(2): 343-351.

Sanderson, J. P., P. M. Davis & G. W. Ferrentino. Dispersion and sampling for whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on poinsettia in New York greenhouses. J. Econ. Entomol. (in press)

Zchori-Fein, E., R. T. Roush & J. P. Sanderson. 1994. Potential for integration of biological and chemical control of greenhouse whitefly using Encarsia formosa and abamectin. Environ. Entomol. 23: 1277-1282.

Zhang, Z-Q. & J. P. Sanderson. 1990. Relative toxicity of abamectin to the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and two spotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 83(5): 1783-1790.

Zhang, Z-Q. & J. P. Sanderson. 1993. Spatial scale of aggregation in three acarine predator species with different degrees of polyphagy. Oecologia 96: 24-31.

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