Check out photos of our day at the Montcalm Farm, where we seeded barely into the borders of carrot plots.

Check out the PHOTOS! We have finally moved back into the labs for the most part and found a new home for our colonies and equipment. With field season upon us, this all happened just in time!

We are very happy that Alex Bryant will be joining the lab in June 2010. This summer Alex will be developing her Ph.D. research project and she will be looking at the effects of strip tillage and habitat complexity on herbivores and natural enemies in different vegetable cropping systems in Michigan. Most of her research will be done at research stations in different parts of MI. Welcome Alex and good luck!

The whereabouts of asparagus, carrot, potato and cabbage field research plots is starting to take shape. Planting and seeding of all these crops will soon begin with full force.  Our field plot at the Collins Road research farm is now ready for the plow – thanks for the cleaning efforts of Adam, Pete, Anna and Meghan. While working out there in the rain, we got 2 lab trucks stuck in the mud…we are waiting for the sun to come out…any minute now.

We are moving in! Finally all the renovation is done, physical plant left the lab, and all we have to do now is to fill our beautiful new drawers and cabinets with stuff that has been stored away during the renovation. Just in time for the field season…Photos will be updated once we have completely moved in and installed new equipment. Stay tuned.

Rob Morrison has accepted a Ph.D. position in our lab. He will start his project in June 2010, and will focus on asparagus miner chemical ecology and biocontrol. Welcome on board and good luck!

Check out the latest photos showing our lab renovation. We have the counters, colors on the walls, most of the electrical wires and some of the plumbing ready. Still about a week more to go before we can move in!

1. I have funding to support graduate research assistantships for two students at the MS or PhD level to study the ecology of insects in agricultural systems with a focus on insect-plant interactions, biological control and chemical ecology. Research directions that fall within the realm of any of these areas are encouraged.  Ideal students should be highly enthusiastic and interested in working at the interface of ecology, entomology, and agriculture. 2. A graduate student position at the PhD level is available to research the molecular genetics of Colorado potato beetles. Previous experience...

The Colorado potato beetle molecular genetic project will be headed up by a new lab member, Dr. Diana Londono (research associate). We are happy to have her join the lab in April and wish her success with her endeavors!

The lab renovation is coming along nicely, and will be completed in the next two weeks. The new counters are already in place and some of the plumbing and carpentry work is done. The electrician is currently working his magic. Anyone with a desire to paint is welcome to help us with the lab walls, we have our work cut out for us! Our laboratory consists of Rooms 447, 448, and 453 in the Natural Science Building and major renovation in all of these rooms will consist of replacing all of the benches, providing new electric grid, new sinks, and painting. We expect that the work will be completed...