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Cornell University Department of Entomology

Donald Rutz


Donald A. Rutz

Professor of Veterinary Entomology; Director, NYS IPM Program

North Carolina State University, 1977.
Veterinary entomology; livestock and poultry IPM, biological control.

3144 Comstock Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-2601
Phone: 607.255.3251
Fax: 607.255.0939
Email: dar11@cornell.edu

Table of Contents

Professional Overview and Objectives

The strengths of our Veterinary Entomology program at Cornell are integrated pest management (IPM) and technology transfer. My split appointment provides me with the exceptional opportunity to interact directly with stakeholders and work toward needed pest management solutions on both dairy and poultry farms. As the only veterinary entomology program in the Northeast, we are currently investigating several components of IPM from basic cultural and physical control strategies to the enhancement and adaptation of existing biological control components to the monitoring and manipulation of insecticide resistant pest populations. Incorporation of these components by our livestock and poultry producers/stakeholders has simultaneously led to drastic reductions in insecticide use, greatly reduced pest abundance and environmental protection.

The darkling beetle has emerged in recent decades as the most important arthropod pest of poultry production worldwide. These beetles are vectors of human and animal pathogens, cause costly structural damage to production facilities, and create serious public health/nuisance problems when they emigrate from farms or from land on which infested manure has been spread. Furthermore, the beetles are extremely difficult to control with pesticides, of which only a few are available. The insecticidal and non-insecticidal management options/solutions developed in our veterinary entomology research program are extremely cost-effective and can be very easily incorporated into existing caged-layer production systems. Implementation though our Extension outreach activities and web site is in progress.

The house fly is a most significant nuisance and public health problem of poultry production. The development of B. bassiana as an effective tool against the house fly is a critical component to a significant challenge that has confounded producers: how to kill large numbers of adult house flies without using residual premise pesticides. Now an integrated fly management program can include the full compliment of tools targeting all life stages of the house fly while preserving and protecting fly natural enemies resulting in maintenance of fly populations below maximally accepted levels in poultry facilities.

The bed bug is also emerging as a very serious pest of poultry production facilities in the US. We are currently investigating various cultural and chemical management options for this “insect of the 21st Century”. We are also collaborating with Wendell Roelofs on a bed bug pheromone research project that hopefully will have applicability in both human and animal settings.

In addition, we continue to work toward cost-effective pest management strategies on New York’s confined and pastured dairies (both conventional and organic). To this end, we have been awarded a USDA-Crops at Risk grant to develop alternative fly control technologies for pastured cattle systems. Submitted as a collaborative effort with North Carolina State University, this is the first livestock-based project awarded funding through this national competitive grants program.

One of the primary driving forces in our research program is producer/stakeholder adoption. We continue to work toward innovative integrated solutions that will enable producers to cost effectively manage their arthropod pest populations. We have also worked diligently on updating and increasing the knowledge base available to our stakeholders through our web site -- http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/Extension/Vet. The “Arthropod ID” component of this site has exceptionally valuable information for cattle and poultry producers looking to correctly identify their pest and to develop a proper, cost effective pest management program for it.

Education

Year Degree Institution
1977 Ph.D.
 North Carolina State University
1975 M.S. Penn State University
1970 B.A. Kutztown State College

Academic Ranks

Professor: 1995
Associate Professor: 1987
Assistant Professor: 1981

Areas of Expertise

Livestock, poultry, IPM, biological control, flies

Publications

Refereed Research Publications

Kaufman, P.E., C. Strong and D.A. Rutz. 2008. Susceptibility of lesser mealworm (Coleoptera:
Tenebrionidae) adults and larvae exposed to two commercial insecticides on unpainted
plywood panels. Pest Mgmt. Sci. 64: 108-111.

Deacutis, J.M., C.A. Leichter, A.C. Gerry, D.A. Rutz, W.D. Watson, C.J. Geden, and J.G. Scott. 2006. Susceptibility of field collected house flies to spinosad before and after a season of use. J. Agric. Urban Entomol. 23(2): 105-110.

Hamm, R. L., P. E. Kaufman, C. Reasor, J. G. Scott and D. A. Rutz. 2006. Resistance to
cyfluthrin and tetrachlorvinphos in the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus, collected
from the eastern United States. Pest Manag. Sci. 62: 673-677.

Kaufman, P.E., L.C. Harrington, J.K. Waldron, and D.A. Rutz. 2005. The Importance of Agricultural Tire Habitats for Mosquitoes of Public Health Importance in New York State. J. Am. Mosq. Cont. Assn. 21: 171-176.

Hamm, R.L., P.E. Kaufman, C. Reasor, J. G. Scott and D. A. Rutz. 2005. resistance to Cyfluthrin and Tetrachlorvinphos in the Lesser Mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) Collected from caged-Layer Poultry Facilities and a Cricket Colony. J. Econ. Entomol. (Accepted 10/05)

Kaufman, P.E., C. Reasor, J.K. Waldron and D.A. Rutz. 2005. Suppression of the Lesser Mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Using Soil Incorporation of Poultry Manure. J. Econ. Entomol. 98: 1739-1743.

Kaufman, P.E., C. Reasor, J.K. Waldron, and D. A. Rutz. 2005. Evaluation of a Barrier to Inhibit Lesser Mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Dermestidae Movement up Support Posts in High-Rise, Caged-Layer Poultry Facilities. J. Econ. Entomol. 98: 1744-1749.

Kaufman, P.E., C. Reasor, D.A, Rutz, J. K. Ketzis and J.J. Arends. 2005. Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana Applications Against Adult House Flies, Musca domestica, in Commercial Caged-Layer Poultry Facilities in New York State. Biol. Control. 33: 360-367.

Kaufman, P.E., D.A. Rutz and S. Frisch. 2005. Large Sticky Traps for Capturing House Flies, Musca domestica, and stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans in dairy calf greenhouse facilities. J. Dairy Sci. 88:176-181.

Kaufman, P.E., M. Burgess, D.A. Rutz, and C.S. Glenister.  2002.  Population Dynamics of Manure Inhabiting           Arthropods Under an IPM Program in New York Poultry Facilities - 3 case studies.  J. Appl. Poultry Res.  10:90-103.

Kaufman, P.E., D.A. Rutz and J.K. Waldron.  2002.  Seasonal Variations in Carcinops pumillo Dispersal and Potential for Suppression of Dispersal Behavior.  J. Med. Entomol. 39: 106-111.

Kaufman, P.E., D.A. Rutz.  2002.  Susceptibility of house flies (Diptera: Muscidae) exposed to five commercial insecticides on painted plywood.  Pest Manag. Sci. 58: 174-178.

Kaufman, P.E., D.A. Rutz, M.E. Doscher, and R. Albright.  2001.  Efficacy of Chlorfenapyr (AC 303630)    Experimental Pour-On and CyLence Formulations Against Naturally Acquired Lice Infestations on Cattle in New York.  Vet. Parasit. 97: 123-129.

Kaufman, P.E., S.J. Long and D.A. Rutz.  2001.  Impact of exposure length and pupal source on Muscidifurax raptorellus and Nasonia vitripennis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) parasitism in a New York poultry facility.  J. Econ. Entomol. 94: 998-1003.

Kaufman, P.E., D.A. Rutz and S. Frisch.  2001.  Sticky traps for large scale house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) trapping in New York poultry facilities.  J. Agric. Urb. Entomol. 18: 43-49.

Kaufman, P.E., J.G. Scott and D.A. Rutz.  Monitoring insecticide resistance in house flies from New York dairies. Pest Manag. Sci. 57: 514-521.

Kaufman, P.E., D.A. Rutz, M.E. Doscher, and R. Albright.  2001.  Efficacy of Chlorfenapyr (AC 303630) experimental pour-on and CyLence formulations against naturally acquired lice infestations on cattle in New York.  Vet. Parasit. 97: 123-129.

Kaufman, P.E., S.J. Long, D.A. Rutz, and J.K. Waldron.  2001.  Parasitism rates of Muscidifurax raptorellus and Nasonia vitripennis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) after individual and paired releases in New York poultry facilities.  J. Econ. Entomol. 94: 593-598.

Kaufman, P.E., S.J. Long, D.A.Rutz, and C.S. Glenister.  2001.  Larval Production from field-collected Carcinops pumilio (Coleoptera: Histeridae) following three starvation periods.  J. Med. Entomol. 38: 278-281.

Watson, D.W., P.E. Kaufman, D.A. Rutz, and C.S. Glenister.  2001.  Impact of the darkling beetle, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer on  the establishment of the predaceous beetle, Carcinops pumilio Erichson for Musca    domestica control in caged-layer poultry houses.  Biological Control 20: 8-15.

Kaufman, P.E., S.J. Long, D.A. Rutz, and C.S. Glenister.  2000.  Evaluation of prey- and density-mediated dispersal in Carcinops pumilio (Erichson) (Coleoptera: Histeridae).  J. Med. Entomol. 37: 929-932.

Scott, J.G., T.G. Alefantis, P.E. Kaufman and D.A. Rutz.  2000.  Insecticide resistsance in house flies from caged-layer poultry facilities.  Pest Manag. Sci. 56: 1-7. 

Kaufman, P.E., P.J. Scholl, and D.A. Rutz.  1999.  Dose confirmation study of the 1% nonaqueous injectable formulation of moxidectin against naturally-acquired infestations of cattle lice on cattle in New York.  Pestic. Sci. 55: 919-922.

Watson, D.W., D.A. Rutz, K. Keshavarz and J. Keith Waldron.  1998.  House fly (Musca domestica L.) survival after mechanical incorporation of poultry manure into field soil.  J. Applied Poult. Res. 7: 302-308.

Geden, C.J., J.J. Arends, D.A. Rutz, and D.C. Steinkraus.  1998.  Laboratory evaluation of Beauveria bassiana Moniliales: Moniliaceae) against the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), in poultry litter, soil and a pupal trap.  Biological Cont. 13: 71-77.

Rutz, D.A., and D.W. Watson.  1998.  Parasitoids as a component in an integrated fly-management program on dairy farms.  In Mass-reared Natural Enemies:  Applications, Regulation, and Needs.  R. L. Ridgeway, M. Hoffman, C.S. Glenister and M. Inscoe [Eds.].  Entomological Society of America Monograph, Annapolis, MD. pp. 185-201.

Extension Publications

Web Site: http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/Extension/Vet/index.html

Rutz, D.A., P.E. Kaufman, and J.K. Waldron.  2004.  Evaluation of two parasitoids in dairy calf greenhouses.  2003 NYS Livestock and Field Crops Project Reports Relating to IPM.  NYS IPM Pub. #324.  pp.43-49.

Rutz, D.A., P.E. Kaufman, and J. K. Waldron.  2004.  Development of a beetle parasitoid for management fo face flies.  2003 NYS Livestock and Filed Crops Project Reports Relating to IPM.  NYS IPM Pub. 324.  pp. 38-42.

Rutz, D.A. P.E. Kaufman, L.C. Harrington and J.K. Waldron.  2003.  Statewide survey of mosquito breeding (species identification and prevalence) on New York dairy farms.  2002 NYS Livestock and Field Crops Project Reports Relating to IPM.  NYS IPM Pub. #322.  pp.57-68.

Rutz, D.A., P.E. Kaufman, and J.K. Waldron.  2002.  An Integrated Approach to Managing Fly Pests in Dairy Calf Greenhouses.  2001 NYS Livestock and field Crops Project Reports Relating to IPM.  NYS IPM Pub. #321.  pp. 83-94.

Rutz, D.A., P.E. Kaufman, and J.K. Waldron.  2001.  An integrated approach to managing fly pests in dairy calf                       greenhouses.  2000 NYS Livestock and Field Crops Project Report Relating to IPM.  NYS IPM Pub. #320.                     pp. 80-91.

Rutz, D.A., P.E. Kaufman, S.J. Long and J.K. Waldron.  2001.  Evaluation of seasonal variations in Carcinops                          pumilio dispersal and potential for suppression of dispersal behavior.  2000 NYS Livestock and Field Crops                       Project Reports Relating to IPM.  NYS IPM Pub. #320.  pp. 69-79.

Kaufman, P.E., J.K. Waldron, and D.A. Rutz.  (In Press).  Pestiferous flies affecting cattle on pasture.  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.  (Fact Sheet).

Kaufman, P.E. and D.A. Rutz.  2001.  A new approach to releasing parasitoids.  Cornell Poultry Pointers.  Vol. 51, No. 3.

Kaufman, P.E. and D.A. Rutz.  2001.  Darkling beetle impact on the fly predator Carcinops pumilio in caged-layer houses.  Cornell Poultry Pointers.  Vol. 51, No. 1.

Rutz, D.A., P.E. Kaufman, S.J. Long and J.K. Waldron.  2000.  Evaluation of seasonal variations in Carcinops pumilio dispersal and potential for suppression of dispersal behavior.  1999 NYS Livestock and field Crops Project Reports Relating to IPM.  NYS IPM Pub. #319.  pp. 57-62.

Kaufman, P.E. and D.A. Rutz.  2000.  Seasonal variations in Carcinops pumilio dispersal and potential for suppression of dispersal behavior.  Cornell Poultry Pointers.  Vol. 50, No. 3.

Waldron, J.K., D.W. Watson,  P.E. Kaufman, and D.A. Rutz.  2000.  Integrated fly management around confined livestock.  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.  (Videotape).

Kaufman, P.E., D.A. Rutz, and C.W. Pitts.  2000.  Pest Management Recommendations for Poultry.  Cornell University, Penn State University Cooperative Extension Publication.

Kaufman, P.E., D.A. Rutz, and J.K. Waldron.  2000.  Common pest flies found in the urban/rural environment and their biological control agents.  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.  (Fact Sheet).

Kaufman, P.E., J.K. Waldron, and D.A. Rutz.  2000.  Integrated management of flies affecting cattle on pasture.  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.  (Fact Sheet).

Kaufman, P.E., D.A. Rutz, and C.W. Pitts.  2000.  Pest management recommendations for sheep, goats and swine.  Cornell University, Penn State University Cooperative Extension Publication.  8 pp.

Kaufman, P.E., C.W. Pitts, and D.A. Rutz.  2000.  Pest management recommendations for horses.  Cornell University, Penn State University Cooperative Extension Publication.  8 pp

Kaufman P.E. and D.A. Rutz.  1999.  1998 survey of house fly resistance in New York caged-layer poultry facilities and a pest and pesticide use assessment survey of poultry production systems in New York.  Cornell Poultry Pointers.  Vol. 49, No. 3.

Rutz, D.A. and C.W. Pitts.  1999.  Pest management principles for the pesticide applicator.  Agricultural animal pest control.  Pesticide Management Education Program.  Cornell Univ.  135 pp.

Rutz, D.A., P.E. Kaufman, S.J. Long and J.K. Waldron.  1999.  Evaluation of competition, host type and host location on searching ability and parasitism rates of Muscidifurax raptorellus and Nasonia vitripennis in New York poultry facilities.  1998 NYS Livestock and Field Crops Project Reports Relating to IPM.  NYS IPM Pub. #318.  pp. 44-57.

Harrington, E.P., P.E. Kaufman, D.B. Weingart, J.K. Waldron and D.A. Rutz.  1999.  Pest and pesticide use assessment for poultry production systems in New York State for 1998.  Pesticide Management Education Program.  Cornell Univ. 35 pp.

Long, S.J., P.E. Kaufman, J.K. Waldron and D.A. Rutz.  1998.  Evaluation of temperature on searching ability and parasitism rates of Muscidifurax raptorellus and Muscidifurax raptor in dairy barns and calf hutches.  1997 NYS Livestock and Field Crops Project Reports Relating to IPM.  NYS IPM Pub. #317.  pp. 50-55.

Harrington, E.P., D.B. Winegardt, P. Kaufman, J.K. Waldron, W.G. Smith and D.A. Rutz.  1998.  Pest and Pesticide use for dairy cattle production systems in New York State for 1997.  Pesticide Management Education Program.  Cornell Univ. 61 pp.