Agnello, Arthur M
Professor
My main goal in tree fruit extension entomology is to interpret the results of current research on fruit pests and formulate it into useful information that can then be made available to various clientele groups. I am a primary contributor to the development and implementation of the fruit program area plan of work that addresses the needs of diverse audience groups, including: the horticultural industry sector (growers, consultants, agricultural industry representatives of crop protection, production, processing, packing/storage, and distribution companies); governmental and regulatory agencies; campus- and field-based Cornell Cooperative Extension agents, specialists, and support staff; academic peers in neighboring states and provinces; and the public sector, including homeowners, community groups, local schools, and other public organizations.
research
research and scholarship focus
My research program is designed to be an integrated part of my overall responsibility through the discovery and interpretation of new information on pest management that has immediate value to my extension audience. Because of the enduring importance of chemical tools in the fruit pest management process, methods and effectiveness of pesticide use constitute one major part of this activity. However, a significant portion of my research effort focuses on evaluating and demonstrating the potential usefulness and application of nonchemical alternatives, such as pheromone mating disruption, conservation biological control, and less toxic protectants derived from non-traditional sources such as microbials, fermentation products, botanicals, and oils.
primary investigator of
- A PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM USING REDUCED-RISK PESTICIDES, ECO-APPLE PROTOCOLS, AND VALUE ADDED MARKETING FOR NY AND NEW ENGLAND GROWERS | Research Grant
- DEVELOPMENT OF COST-COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS USING REDUCED-RISK TACTICS TO MANAGE ARTHROPOD PESTS IN EASTERN APPLE AND PEACH PRODUCTION REGIONS | Research Grant
research areas
- agricultural engineering | collaborative research area (CALS)
- entomology | collaborative research area (CALS)
- integrated crop management | collaborative research area (CALS)
- integrated pest management | collaborative research area (CALS)
- international agriculture | collaborative research area (CALS)
- pesticide management | collaborative research area (CALS)
- pest management | collaborative research area (CALS)
submitted impact statement
- Evaluation of multi-tactic systems for control of internal feeding worms in western New York apples | 2007 Impact statement
- Whole-farm apple arthropod management using reduced-risk tactics and IPM sampling & monitoring | 2007 Impact statement
- Marketing Northeastern-grown eco-apples | 2007 Impact statement
- Evaluation of multi-tactic systems for control of internal feeding worms in western New York apples | 2006 Impact statement
- Evaluation of multi-tactic systems for control of Oriental fruit moths in western New York apples | 2005 Impact statement
- Evaluation of multi-tactic systems for control of Oriental fruit moths in western New York apples | 2004 Impact statement
- Reduced-risk pest management programs for Eastern tree fruits | 2004 Impact statement
affiliations
faculty appointment in
- Entomology at Geneva | Geneva department
member of graduate field
- Entomology | graduate field
- Plant Protection | graduate field
service
outreach focus
It is my responsibility to provide information on effective, economical, and sustainable methods of managing fruit arthropod pests to all our clientele. Extension efforts involve annually updating university control recommendations according to current research findings, providing diagnostic services for arthropod pests of tree fruit, monitoring the effectiveness of control programs to identify the causes of pest outbreaks, and cooperating with industry in the registration of new products. A second program area is the development and implementation of pest management approaches in tree fruit to maintain quality and production standards while minimizing potential economic and biological problems such as insecticide resistance, secondary pest outbreaks, and natural enemy population decline.
Keywords: arthropod pest biology & control, extension entomology, fruit, integrated pest management, pesticide application technology, pest sampling and monitoring, pheromones and chemical communication, selective pesticides, tree fruits