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Shields, Elson J.
Cornell Faculty Member
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The focus of my extension and research efforts is to reduce the environmental impact of insect management in field crops utilizing the guidelines of IPM (Integrated Pest Management). Major focus is placed on biological control of insect pests, host plant resistance, least dose pesticide usage when required and insect long-ranged migration. These foci are supported with active research projects with the biological control of alfalfa snout beetle, breeding for snout beetle resistant alfalfa (with Don Viands), least dose evaluations with corn rootworm and potato leafhopper and long-ranged movement of potato leafhopper and soybean aphid. Additional foci on aerobiology include joint projects with the movement of corn pollen (D. Aylor, CT Ag Exp. Stat.), movement of wheat head scab (G. Bergstrom) and dispersal of herbicide resistant weed seed ( D. Mortensen, Penn State). Research information is disseminated to the agribusiness audience using extension articles, extension presentations, and interviews with the popular press. With field crops grown in every county in NYS and the field crop commodity planted in over 90% on NYS agricultural land, the audience is large and diverse
Research Areas
- adult and extension education
- biological control
- crop management or crop science
- entomology
- integrated crop management
- integrated pest management
- international agriculture
- pest management
- pesticide management
- Affiliations
- Extension
- Research
- Publications
- Teaching
- Service
- Background
- Other
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Affiliations
Extension
has primary specialization area
Research
research overview
- The focus of my extension and research efforts is to reduce the environmental impact of insect management in field crops utilizing the guidelines of IPM (Integrated Pest Management). Major focus is placed on biological control of insect pests, host plant resistance, least dose pesticide usage when required and insect long-ranged migration. These foci are supported with active research projects with the biological control of alfalfa snout beetle, breeding for snout beetle resistant alfalfa (with Don Viands), least dose evaluations with corn rootworm and potato leafhopper and long-ranged movement of potato leafhopper and soybean aphid. Additional foci on aerobiology have included past joint projects with the movement of corn pollen (D. Aylor, CT Ag Exp. Stat.), movement of wheat head scab (G. Bergstrom) and dispersal of herbicide resistant weed seed ( D. Mortensen, Penn State). A current research project in Plant Biosecurity is utilizing mobile PCR technology to identify aerobiota.
research activities
principal investigator on
- 2011 UNIVERSITY CORN ROOTWORM DUAL PYRAMID EFFICACY AND YIELD EVALUATION awarded by PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATL INC 2011 - 2014
- BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF ALFALFA SNOUT BEETLE: ON FARM REARING AND APPLICATION OF BIO CONTROL NEMATODES awarded by NYS DEPT OF AG & MARKETS 2010 - 2013
- BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLUM CURCULIO IN ORGANIC APPLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS awarded by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE-USDA 2011 - 2014
- OAM2 CRW EMERGENCE (FIELD TRIAL) awarded by PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATL INC 2009 - 2012
co-principal investigator on
other area(s) of concentration/expertise
- Field crops entomology
keywords
- IPM
- aerobiology
- biological control
- field crops entomology
- management of field crop insects
- management of soil insects
submitted impact statement
Publications
individual publications
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academic article
- Biological control agent of larger black flour beetles – a nuisance pest developing in cotton gin trash piles.. Journal of Economic Entomology. 106:648-652. 2013
- Effects of low temperature storage on fecundity and adult mortality for the alfalfa snout beetle. Great Lakes Entomologist. 44:21-31. 2011
- Long-term field persistence and coexistence in three entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Great Lakes Entomologist. 44:42-52. 2011
- Tracking the potato late blight pathogen in the atmosphere using unmanned aerial vehicles and Lagrangian modeling. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 151:251-260. 2011
- Conducting public-sector research on commercialized transgenic seed: In search of a paradigm that works. . GM Crops. 1. 2010
- Soybeans Compensate at Low Seeding Rates but not at High Thinning Rates . Agronomy Journal. 101:1238-1243. 2010
- Biological Control of Alfalfa Snout Beetle with a multi-species application of locally-adapted persistent entomopathogenic nematodes: The first success. . American Entomologist. 55:250-257. 2009
- Conyza canadensis seed ascent in the lower atmosphere. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 149:526-534. 2009
- Stacked corn hybrids show inconsistent yield and economic responses in New York. Agronomy Journal. 101:1530-1537. 2009
- Stacked corn hybrids show inconsistent yield and economic responses in New York. Agronomy Journal. 101:1530-1537. 2009
- Alfalfa Snout Beetle, Otiorhynchus ligustici L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Methods for egg collection and larval rearing.. Great Lakes Entomologist. 40:62-67. 2008
- Maize pollen dispersal under convective conditions. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology. 47:291-307. 2008
- Multiple-species natural enemy approach for the biological control of the alfalfa snout beetle, Otiorhynchus ligustici L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), using entomopathogenic nematodes. Journal of Economic Entomology. 101:1533-1539. 2008
- Planting Date and Seed Treatment Effects on Soybean in the Northeastern United States. Agronomy Journal. 100:1662-1665. 2008
- Western corn rootworm damage subtly affects corn growth under moderate environmental stress. Crop Science Journal. 48:1164-1169. 2008
- Western corn rootworm damage subtly affects corn growth under moderate environmental stress. Crop Science Journal. 48:1164-1169. 2008
- Clothianidin Seed treatments inconsistently affect corn forage yield when following soybean. Agronomy Journal. 99:543-548. 2007
- Seed-applied insecticides inconsistently affect corn forage in continuous corn. Agronomy Journal. 99:1640-1644. 2007
- The effect of Clothianidin seed treatments on corn growth following soybean. Crop Science Journal. 47:2482-2485. 2007
- Genetic structure of atmospheric populations of Gibberella zeae. Phytopathology. 96:1021-1026. 2006
- Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) seed collected in the planetary boundary layer. Weed Science. 54:1063-1067. 2006
- Interspecific interactions among three entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae, and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, with different foraging strategies for hosts in multi-piece sand columns. Environmental Entomology. 35:1578-1583. 2006
- Night-time spore deposition of the fusarium head blight pathogen, Gibberella zeae, in rotational wheat fields. Can J Plant Pathol. 28:1-9. 2006
- Quantifying aerial concentrations of maize pollen in the atmospheric surface layer using remote-piloted airplanes and lagrangian stochastic simulation modeling. J. Appl. Meteorol.. 45:1003-1015. 2006
- Estimating the Potato Leafhopper Empoasca fabae (Harris) (Homoptera: Cicadelidae) Overwintering Range and Spring Pre-Migrant Development Using Geographic Information Systems. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98:757-764. 2005
- The relative abundance of viable spores of Gibberella zeae in the planetary boundary layer suggests the role of long-distance transport in regional epidemics of Fusarium head blight. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 132:20-27. 2005
- Survey for entomopathogenic nematodes and entomopathogenic fungi in alfalfa snout beetle, Otiorhynchus ligustici (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Hungary and New York. Great Lakes Entomologist. 37:152-158. 2004
- An aerobiological framework for assessing cross-pollination in maize. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 119:111-129. 2003
- Transect sampling to enhance efficiency of corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) monitoring. Journal of Economic Entomology. 96:1420-1425. 2003
- Cropping systems effects on weed emergence and densities in corn . Agronomy Journal. 92:754-760. 2000
- Agronomics and economics of different weed management systems in corn and soybean. Agronomy Journal. 91:585-591. 1999
- Fall migratory flight initiation of the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris)(Homoptera: Cicadellidae): Observations in the lower atmosphere using remote piloted vehicles. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 97:317-330. 1999
- Influence of temperature and diet on Black Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larval development. Journal of Economic Entomology. 91:267-273. 1998
- Yield responses of corn to simulated Black Cutworm damage. Journal of Economic Entomology. 91:748-758. 1998
- In vivo production of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora ‘Oswego’ (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), a potential biological control agent for soil-inhabiting insects in temperate regions. Journal of Economic Entomology. 89:373-380. 1996
- Development of migrant source populations of the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris)(Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Environmental Entomology. 24:1115-1121. 1995
- Empoasca fabae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae): identification and population studies with allozyme electrophoresis. Environmental Entomology. 24:1109-1114. 1995
- Is Empoasca fabae (Harris) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) a victim of pied piper migration?: Induction of reproductive diapause and its phenological implications. Environmental Entomology. 24:1086-1095. 1995
- Phenology of Empoasca fabae (Harris) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Environmental Entomology. 24:1096-1108. 1995
- Spring activity of adult alfafa snout beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Upward movement from overwintering sites, dispersal and oviposition. Journal of Economic Entomology. 88:859-863. 1995
- Vertical distribution, persistence and activity of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) in alfalfa snout beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infested fields. Environmental Entomology. 24:149-158. 1995
- Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic nematodes to alfalfa snout beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) larvae. Journal of Economic Entomology. 87:917-922. 1994
- Prevalence, severity and association of fungal crown and root rots with injury by the clover root curculio in New York alfalfa. Plant Disease. 78:491-495. 1994
- Behavioral interactions between Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) grubs and an entomopathogenic nematode (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) within turf microcosms. Environmental Entomology. 22:595-600. 1993
- Demonstration of pine feeding by Empoasca fabae (Harris)(Homoptera: Cicadellidae) using an elemental marker. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 66:250-252. 1993
- Calcium regulates differentiation of the insect fungus Zoophthora radicans. Protoplasma. 160:77-88. 1991
- Effects of the environment and nutrition on conidial germination and appressorium formation by Zoophthora radicans (Zygomycetes:Entomophthorales): A pathogen of the potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Environmental Entomology. 20:1460-1468. 1991
- Low temperature effects on the behavior of potato leafhopper Empoasca fabae (Homoptera:Cicadellidae) nymphs. Environmental Entomology. 21:301-306. 1991
- Nuclear events during germination and appressorial formation of the entomopathogenic fungus Zoophthora radicans (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 57:43-49. 1991
- Potato leafhopper (Homoptera:Cicadellidae) oviposition and development under cool fluctuating temperatures. Environmental Entomology. 20:1113-1120. 1991
- Sequential sampling plan for northern and western corn rootworm in New York. Journal of Economic Entomology. 84:165-169. 1991
- A computer controlled environmental system for the study of insect development rates. Environmental Entomology. 19:866-873. 1990
- Development of the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)under fluctuating daily temperature regimes. Environmental Entomology. 19:1422-1431. 1990
- Flight thresholds of the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae). Environmental Entomology. 19:1410-1417. 1990
- Formation of appressoria in vitro by the entomopathogenic fungus Zoophthora radicans (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 55:284-288. 1990
- Low temperature hardiness of potato leafhopper nymphs Empoasca fabae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae): Implications in predicting over-wintering mortality. Journal of Economic Entomology. 83:1541-1548. 1990
- Artificial Light: Experimental problems with insects. Bulletin of the Entomological Society of America. 35:40-45. 1989
- Phototactic response of Pseudaletia unipuncta (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) to various light levels. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 82:658-660. 1989
- Sampling for potato leafhopper Empoasca fabae (Homoptera:Cicadellidae) on alfalfa in New York: Relative efficiency of three sampling regimes and development of a sequential sampling plan. Journal of Economic Entomology. 82:1091-1095. 1989
- Variegated cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Leaf-area consumption, feeding site preference and economic injury level calculation for potatoes.. Journal of Economic Entomology. 78:1095-1099. 1985
- Response of variegated cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to various light levels. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 77:152-154. 1984
- Locomotory activity of Orius tristicolor under various intensities of flickering and non flickering light. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 73:74-77. 1980
- Searching behavior of female Orius tristicolor. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 73:533-535. 1980
- Variegated cutworm: Leaf consumption and economic loss in peppermint. Journal of Economic Entomology. 73:607-608. 1980
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article
- CruiserMaxx seed treatment: To treat or not to Treat? 2010
- Deciphering the GM Corn Terminology 2010
- Research restrictions on public scientists with GM crops: A problem for the agricultural community 2010
- CruiserMaxx seed treatment on soybeans greatly increases final stands but only marginally improves final yield 2009
- Field Scale Studies Evaluating the Agronomics and Economics of Selecting Double and Triple Stacked Hybrids 2009
- Field-scale studies comparing the base genetics of corn hybrids with double and triple stacked hybrids. 2009
- Selecting your corn rootworm control for 2010 2009
- Corn Rootworm Choices: Which one is best for you? 2008
- When to plant soybeans in New York? 2007
- Field crop insect update 2006
- Glyphosate-resistant horseweed – should we be concerned? 2006
- Poncho seed treatment on corn: Looks promising for silage but for grain under low pest pressure 2006
- Poncho-Cruiser seed treatments for corn rootworm 2006
- Management of Corn Rootworm in 2005 2004
- Potato Leafhopper Resistant Alfalfa and Section 18 Granted for Mixed Grass Seedings 2004
- Corn Rootworm Technology for the 2004 Growing Season: How do they compare 2003
- EPA Required Insect Refuges: Necessary Evil or Needless EPA Meddling? 2003
- Section 18 Emergency Exemption Granted for Warrior on Alfalfa--Grass Mixed Seedings 2003
- Insect/disease complex is widespread in New York alfalfa 1993
- . An insect/disease complex implicated in alfalfa field decline 1990
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conference paper
- High volume aerial sampling for low incidence detection of Phakopsora pachyrhizi spores in the planetary boundary. Proceedings 2007 National Soybean Rust Symposium. 2007
- Seed-Applied Insecticides Inconsistently Affect Corn Silage in Continuous Corn. AFGC. 134. 2007
- Seed-applied insecticides inconsistently affect corn silage in continuous corn. Proceedings of the 2007 Conf. of the American Forage & Grassland Council and Northeast Branch of the Crop, Soil and Agronomy Society of America. 134. 2007
- Genetic structure of atmospheric populations of Gibberella zeae. Proceedings of the 2005 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum. 149. 2005
- Temporal scales of genetic diversity within New York atmospheric populations of Gibberella zeae. Proceedings of the 2005 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum. 149. 2005
- Airborne populations of Gibberella zeae: Spatial and temporal dynamics of spore deposition in a localized Fusarium head blight epidemic. Proc. 2002 National Fusarium Head Blight Forum. 178. 2002
- Evaluation of alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil on alfalfa snout beetle infested fields. 2002 North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference. 2002
- Biotechnology for development of pest-resistant crop varieties. Proc. NYS Agri-Business Association. 8. 1998
- Biotechnology for development of pest-resistant crop varieties. Proc. NYS Agri-Business Association. 1998
-
document part
- Stacked Corn Hybrids Show Inconsistent Yield and Economic Responses in New York. 2010
- How does corn rootworm damage affect corn growth and development? 2007
- Corn rootworm management in 2007: Where does all the new technology fit 2006
- Poncho seed treatment does not affect corn yield when following soybeans 2006
- Radio controlled airplanes: Serious research tool or just plane fun? 2006
- Night-time spore deposition of the Fusarium head blight pathogen, Gibberella zeae 2003
- Survey for natural enemies of the alfalfa snout beetle Otiorhynchus ligustici (L.) in Hungary and in New York State: Nosema otiorhynchi, entomopathogenic nematodes and entomopathogenic fungi. 59. 2003
- Atmospheric spore dispersal and regional epidemiology of the Fusarium head blight fungus 2002
- Evaluation of alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil on alfalfa snout beetle infested fields. 65. 2002
-
manual
-
report
- Breeding Alfalfa Varieties with Resistance to Alfalfa Snout Beetle 2010
- Breeding Alfalfa Snout Beetle Resistant AlfalfaVarieties 2008
- Evaluation of a potato leafhopper resistant alfalfa cultivar effects on PLH injury in alfalfa: grass mixed stands with and without insecticide 2004
- Assessing the nontarget effect of transgenic (European corn borer resistant) corn hybrids on anthracnose stalk rot development. 33-34. 2000
- Management of European corn borer/anthracnose stalk rot pest complex with transgenic Bt corn hybrids for silage production. 13-20. 1998
- Pest management strategies under different rotation and tillage systems in grain corn and soybeans. 11-18. 1997
- Pest management strategies under different rotation and tillage systems in grain corn and soybeans. 14-22. 1996
- Pest management strategies under different rotation and tillage systems in grain corn and soybeans. 17-26. 1995
- Rotation and tillage systems for pest management in grain corn production (year 3 funding) 1994
- Rotation and tillage systems for pest management in grain corn production (year 2 funding) 1993
- Rotation and tillage systems for pest management in grain corn production (year 1 funding) 1992
- Insect Management section 2009
- Insect Management section 2008
- Insect Management section 2007
- Developing biological controls for alfalfa snout beetle 2006
- Insect Management section 2006
- Insect Management section 2005
- Evaluation of a potato leafhopper (PLH) resistant alfalfa cultivar effects on PLH injury in alfalfa: grass mixed stands with and without insecticide. In 2003 New York State Livestock and Field Crops Project Reports Relating to IPM 2004
- Insect Management section 2004
- Quantifying aerial dispersal of pollen in relation to outcrossing in maize 2004
- Insect Management section 2003
- Dairy and Field Crops Integrated Pest Management Scout Manual 1987
featured in archived article
Teaching
teaching activities
- ENTOM-7070: Individual Study for Graduate Students - Spring 2013
- ENTOM-7090: Teaching Entomology - Spring 2013
- ENTOM-8900: Master's Level Thesis Research - Spring 2013
- ENTOM-9900: Doctoral Level Thesis Research - Spring 2013
- ENTOM-7070: Individual Study for Graduate Students - Fall 2012
- ENTOM-7090: Teaching Entomology - Fall 2012
- ENTOM-8900: Master's Level Thesis Research - Fall 2012
- ENTOM-9900: Doctoral Level Thesis Research - Fall 2012
- ENTOM-7070: Individual Study for Graduate Students - Spring 2012
- ENTOM-7090: Teaching Entomology - Spring 2012
- ENTOM-8900: Master's Level Thesis Research - Spring 2012
- ENTOM-9900: Doctoral Level Thesis Research - Spring 2012
- ENTOM-7070: Individual Study for Graduate Students - Fall 2011
- ENTOM-7090: Teaching Entomology - Fall 2011
- ENTOM-8900: Master's-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2011
- ENTOM-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2011
Service
outreach overview
- The focus of my extension and research efforts is to reduce the environmental impact of insect management in field crops utilizing the guidelines of IPM (Integrated Pest Management). Major focus is placed on biological control of insect pests, host plant resistance, least dose pesticide usage when required and insect long-ranged migration. These foci are supported with active research projects with the biological control of alfalfa snout beetle, breeding for snout beetle resistant alfalfa (with Don Viands), least dose evaluations with corn rootworm and potato leafhopper and long-ranged movement of potato leafhopper and soybean aphid. Additional foci on aerobiology have included past joint projects with the movement of corn pollen (D. Aylor, CT Ag Exp. Stat.), movement of wheat head scab (G. Bergstrom) and dispersal of herbicide resistant weed seed ( D. Mortensen, Penn State). A current Plant Biosecurity project is focused on detecting aerobiota using mobile PCR technology. Research information is disseminated to the agribusiness audience using extension articles, extension presentations, and interviews with the popular press. With field crops grown in every county in NYS and the field crop commodity planted in over 90% on NYS agricultural land, the audience is large and diverse.
service to the profession
- Entomological Society of America Member 1976 -
- Regional Research Projects: NCR-46 Management of Corn Rootworm Chairperson 2008
- Regional Research Projects: NCR-46 Management of Corn Rootworm Officer, Secretary - 2007
- USDA-Plant Biosecurity Panel Research Review Panel - 2005
Background
education and training
- Ph.D. in Entomology, University of Wisconsin 1984
- M.S. in Entomology, University of Arizona 1979
- B.S. in Animal Science, University of Arizona 1974
awards and honors
Other
college
- CALS
research keyword
- IPM
- aerobiology
- biological control
- field crops entomology
- management of field crop insects
- management of soil insects
name prefix
- Dr.