Entomology Program

I investigate how past and current environmental perturbations like climate change, fires, and the introduction of non-native species have influenced animal and plant population dynamics. My work is conducted on a variety of empirical systems, including insects, frogs, and plants....

Apiculture

Research interests are focused on insect neurohormones, receptors, RNAi, and chemical ecology to develop novel pest managements and to understand biological questions.

1. Development of RNA inference (RNAi)-based insecticide to protect small fruits and nursery crops.
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My research focuses on how human activities affect terrestrial invertebrate communities and the ecosystem services they provide, with a special interest in riparian and grassland ecology, food webs, native bees, and invertebrate predators.

Current projects involve examining the...

Population ecology, invasive species ecology, plant-insect interactions, biological control of weeds.

• I am interested in the population dynamics and interactions of plants and herbivorous insects, particularly as they relate to the biological control of weeds. My current...

Beekeeping

• Develop and implement integrated pest management strategies for the sustainable arthropod pest management in diverse Oregon cropping systems.
• Provide regional leadership for addressing other high priority entomological extension needs in cooperation with other OSU faculty and...

The ecology of urban and suburban landscapes remains relatively unexplored - although such habitats have great potential to positively contribute to the conservation of pollinators, parasitoids and the ecosystem services that they confer. 

Working with the OSU Extension Master...

I teach an undergraduate course in entomology. My goal in teaching entomology to non-entomologists is to provide insight into a group of organisms that is largely ignored. The vast and varied world of insects impacts human society more than we think.

My IPM research work...

• Psyllids and Leafhoppers
• Phytoplasmas

Responsible for Extension and Research programming related to cropping systems in Malheur County.

• Biological control implementation
• Pacific Northwest Nursery IPM website development and expansion
• Current research areas include: Intelligent Spray Systems; Azalea lace bug; and Maple spider mite.
• Career-long research topics include: Assessment of...

• Integrated Pest Management
• Insect Ecology-Movement

• Entomology
• IPM
• Biorational pest control agent
• Biological control
• Small fruit and tree nut crops

I work on economically important pests, with the aim to provide environmentally sustainable and minimal impact pest management...

• biological control
• population biology
• orchard ecology
• insect behavior
• integrated pest management

Nik earned a BS (biology) and MS (entomology) from Montana State University where he worked on biological control of weeds in...