What will you learn at “BIOLOGICAL CONTROL: PARTNERS IN THE GARDEN”? Here’s our Day One Presentations

Learn to recognize and encourage your existing biological control partners. Have you ever noticed hoverflies around your flowers or seen ladybug larvae munching on aphids in the vegetable garden? Taking advantage of the natural enemies already occurring in your garden is an excellent way to reduce pesticide use.

Tuesday, March 15—Wednesday, March 16

Have you registered? Visit our Annual Conference page for more information and Registration Links (Pay by credit card, or pay by check).

graphic shows Photo of speaker Jennifer Thaler and her information: "Fear as Biocontrol" A major effect of predators on prey is through the risk of predation alone and risk alone can reduce pest numbers and crop damage. We’ll discuss crop systems where risk of predation has been shown, how it works, and ideas for how to manipulate risk to control pests. Presenter: Professor Jennifer Thaler is an insect ecologist who’s research is focused on plant defense and predator prey interactions in agricultural systems. She particularly likes working in Solanaceous crops like tomato, potato and tomatillo. She teaches Insect Ecology and Chemical Ecology.
Tuesday Keynote: March 15th 9:00am

graphic shows photo of Carol Glenister : "Signs of Natural Enemies at Work": How do you know when natural enemies are taking care of things? Here are some great signs that they are at work. Presenter: Carol Glenister is founding president IPM Laboratories, Inc., a 40 year old company that supplies beneficial insects, mites and nematodes used for pest control in greenhouses, interiorscapes, landscapes, and agriculture. Her research focuses on creating supportive plant habitats for these natural enemies. She has a Masters Degree in Entomology from Cornell University.
Tuesday, March 15th Session Two 9:55am

 

graphic shows John Losey photo and information: "Ladybugs in Your Garden": Most of us recognize that ladybugs are good partners to have in the garden, but how can you best support them? In this talk you’ll learn whether you should buy and release ladybugs, how to attract them to your garden, and whether “ladybug homes” actually work. Presenter: Dr. John Losey is a professor in the Entomology Department at Cornell University. His research interests include conservation of beneficial insects, including the NY-native nine-spotted ladybug.
Tuesday, March 15, 10:35am

 

graphic shows Bryan Brown and information: "Biocontrol for Weeds": This presentation will review available biocontrols for garden weeds, with a focus on integrating animals into your garden, but will also touch on insects that can be promoted to improve weed management. Presenter: Dr. Bryan Brown Integrated Weed Management Specialist works with growers, extension educators, industry leaders, and researchers to address knowledge gaps in weed IPM and develop programming to improve adoption of effective weed management practices. His work covers all agricultural crops and community settings throughout New York.
Tuesday, March 15th, 11:15am
graphic shows Joellen Lampman and information
Tuesday, March 15th 11:30am Joellen closes out the morning.

ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON at 1:00pm, join the free Biocontrol workshop from Amara Dunn:

graphic shows photo of Amara Dunn, and information about the afternoon workshop. Workshop: Planning for Success in Attracting Natural Enemies Date: Tuesday, March 15 Time: 1-3 p.m. Speaker: Amara Dunn In this hands-on workshop, you'll create a plan to establish plants that support natural enemies of pests (and also pollinators) in your garden. You will get the most out of this workshop if you complete a short pre-workshop activity. You will receive the activity materials after registering for the workshop. The link will be in your registration confirmation email. Please submit this by March 11.