Current Projects

---

Many of the Rodale Institute research projects over the years have dealt with insect and disease pest pressure, but we’ve just recently launched into a collaborative project focusing on organic management of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.

Whole-farm Organic Management of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and Endemic Pentatomids through Behavior-based Habitat Manipulation
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) has become a significant threat to US agriculture since its introduction, causing severe losses for organic farmers in a wide variety of crops. Little to no information is available on organic management of this invasive pest. Led by USDA-OPMP, a national organics task force was developed to define and address the threat posed by BMSB. This task force includes organic farmers, researchers, extension personnel, and regulatory officials. Our goal is to rapidly develop BMSB management techniques based around a better understanding of BMSB dispersal and whole-farm movement and the application of core organic pest management principles including: enhancing natural enemy activity, habitat manipulation and crop barriers. Rodale will contribute to this effort, which includes support or involvement of 25 researchers, 3 organic organizations, and 12 organic farmers.

Project Team:
Dr. Gladis Zinati and Mr. Jeff Moyer are Project Directors. They oversee the overall project activities, direct and coordinate all aspects of the project  including on- and off-site research activities, education events and outreach activities.

Ms. Christine Ziegler Ulsh is a project research technician, assisting Dr. Zinati and Mr. Moyer on fulfilling research objectives, such as in designing experimental plots, setting-up traps for BMSB, collecting data, day-to-day activities and report write-ups.

Resources:
Identifying the brown marmorated stink bug
Update on BMSB at Rodale Institute (OREI Mtg, January 7, 2013)