Professor

he/him

vaughn.walton [at] oregonstate.edu

Office: 5417404149

2750 SW Campus Way

Corvallis, OR 97331

Entomology
Ecology
Integrated Pest Management (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 strategies for agriculturalists. Multiple techniques are used in a whole-system approach to obtain sustainable means of production.

In order to obtain this goal, new knowledge obtained from detailed insect physiological, biological, behavioral, ecological and environmental studies are needed. This knowledge is then used to apply treatments timed to occur during periods when pests are at their most vulnerable. These control strategies have historically focused on biological control, mating disruption and conventional synthetic pesticides.

At OSU

Affiliated with:

Horticulture Extension

Headquarters:

OSU Main Campus

Career Links:

Department of Horticulture

Oregon Wine Research Institute

Entomology Program

Spotted Wing Drosophila

Tree Fruits and Nuts

Urban and Community Horticulture

Organic Agriculture Program

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Hazelnuts

Berry Crops Production Systems Program

Lab Group:

Kyoo Rok Park

Betsey Miller

I accept graduate students for the Entomology Program

I accept graduate students for Horticulture

Student(s):

Courses Taught:

Undergraduate:

Pests, Plagues, and Politics

Graduate:

Integrated Pest Management
Biological Control
Insect Physiology
Special Topics

Biography

Vaughn Walton serves as a leader in OSU’s Horticultural Pest Management team in diverse integrated pest management programmatic areas. He has established a strong local and internationally recognized extramurally funded program. His work includes research in two focus areas: 1) Small Fruit IPM and 2) IPM of pests on tree crops. He has specifically focused on Spotted-Wing Drosophila, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, mites, mealybugs, scale insects and tortricids. Walton employs both ecologically and mechanistic information to manage these pests within a whole-system perspective.

Professional Accomplishments

Curriculum Vitae:

webbiosketchwaltonfeb2023.docx

Professional Affiliations:

Entomological Society of America

American Society for Horticultural Science

International Society for Horticultural Science

Employment:

2017-Present. Professor, Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University

2012-2017. Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University

2006-2012. Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

2003-2005. Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California

2003-2005. Research Associate,Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology, Stellenbosch University (South Africa).

1999-2003. Research and Extension Entomologist, Agricultural Research Council (South Africa)

Education:

Ph.D., Entomology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2003
M.Sc., Integrated Pest Management, University of Stellenbosch, 1998
H.E.D. (Teaching Higher Education Diploma), University of Stellenbosch, 1993
B.Sc., Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, 1992

Service:

Promotion and Tenure Committee

My Awards

Honors and Awards:

·Ranked in the top 1% worldwide, Web of Science for 2019, 2020, and 2021. He was named among the world's most influential and Highly Cited Researchers during this period.

Briskey Award For Faculty Excellence 2021

Erasmus Mundus Plus Teaching Award, International MS in Plant Health, University of Padova, Italy, 2019.

· Educational Institution and Federal Laboratory Partnership Award” 2011-2016 on the StopBMSB project funded by the SCRI program, 2017.

· International IPM award of Recognition, 8thInternational IPM Symposium, 2015.

· Oldfield/Jackman Team Award, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University for D. suzukii 2013.

· Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch Entomology Team Award, 2012.

Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch Entomology Excellence in IPM Award, 2012.

· Savery Award for Outstanding Young Faculty, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University, 2008.

· South African Deciduous Fruit Producers Trust travel award, for Outstanding Scientists, 2003.

· South African Society of Enology and Viticulture Scientist Award for most outstanding scientific contribution published in our journal or the most outstanding innovation in our industry, 1999.

My Publications

Google Scholar

ResearchGate

2017

Journal Article

V. M. Walton and Pringle, K. L., “A Survey of Mealybugs and Associated Natural Enemies in Vineyards in the Western Cape Province, South Africa”, South African Journal of Enology & Viticulture, vol. 25, no. 1, 2017.

J. D. Berset, Mermer, S., Robel, A. E., Walton, V. M., Chien, M. L., and Field, J., “Direct residue analysis of systemic insecticides and some of their relevant metabolites in wines by liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry”, Journal of Chromatography A, vol. 1506, pp. 45 - 54, 2017.

C. Ioriatti, Guzzon, R., Anfora, G., Ghidoni, F., Mazzoni, V., Villegas, T. Roman, Dalton, D., and Walton, V. M., “Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Contributes to the Development of Sour Rot in Grape”, Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 283 - 292, 2017.

V. M. Walton and Pringle, K. L., “Effects of Pesticides and Fungicides Used on Grapevines on the Mealybug Predatory Beetle Nephus 'boschianus' (Coccinellidae, Scymnini)”, South African Journal of Enology & Viticulture, vol. 22, no. 2, 2017.

V. M. Walton and Pringle, K. L., “Effects of Pesticides Used on Table Grapes on the Mealybug Parasitoid Coccidoxenoides peregrinus (Timberlake) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)”, South African Journal of Enology & Viticulture, vol. 20, no. 1, 2017.

P. Mohekar, Osborne, J. P., Wiman, N. G., Walton, V. M., and Tomasino, E., “Influence of Winemaking Processing Steps on the Amounts of ( E )-2-Decenal and Tridecane as Off-Odorants Caused by Brown Marmorated Stink Bug ( Halyomorpha halys )”, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, vol. 65, no. 4, pp. 872 - 878, 2017.

A. Biondi, Wang, X., Miller, J. C., Miller, B., Shearer, P. W., à, L., Siscaro, G., Walton, V. M., Hoelmer, K. A., and Daane, K. M., “Innate Olfactory Responses of Asobara japonica Toward Fruits Infested by the Invasive Spotted Wing Drosophila”, Journal of Insect Behavior, vol. 30, no. 5180421, pp. 495 - 506, 2017.

A. Grassi, Gottardello, A., Dalton, D., Tait, G., Rendon, D., Ioriatti, C., Gibeaut, D., M Stacconi, V. Rossi, and Walton, V. M., “Seasonal Reproductive Biology of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Temperate Climates”, Environmental Entomology, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 166 - 174, 2017.

V. M. Walton and Pringle, K. L., “Vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae ), a Key Pest in South African vineyards. A Review”, South African Journal of Enology & Viticulture, vol. 25, no. 2, 2017.

2016

Journal Article

K. A. Hamby, Bellamy, D. E., Chiu, J. C., Lee, J. C., Walton, V. M., Wiman, N. G., York, R. M., and Biondi, A., “Biotic and abiotic factors impacting development, behavior, phenology, and reproductive biology of Drosophila suzukii”, Journal of Pest Science, vol. 89, no. 3, pp. 605 - 619, 2016.

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Outreach and Extension

Extension Service Site Publications

(2022) PNW Insect Management Handbook - Mealybugs of Grapes The PNW Insect Management Handbook provides Oregon-specific information on mealybugs and their management including labeled insecticides.
(2022) Suppressing Spotted-wing Drosophila Egg-laying with Micro-sprinkler Insecticide Application in Highbush Blueberry Micro-sprinkler application of certain pesticides suppresses spotted-wing drosophila in highbush blueberries. However, those same pesticides applied by backpack sprayers provide better control.
(2022) Spotted-wing Drosophila, Relative Rankings and Seasonal Strategies for Insecticide Use Researchers around the country have ranked the effectiveness of the most-used pesticides to control spotted-wing drosophila populations in the field. These recommendations are focused on controlling immature and adult life stages of SWD.
(2021) Pest Alert: Spotted Lanternfly is an Invasive Insect That May Impact Oregon Spotted Lanternfly has a broad range of plant hosts, including grape, stone fruits, apple, ornamental species, maple, black walnut, willow and rose. Nymphs and adults are phloem feeders. They suck sap from young stems and leaves, which can cause wilting and plant stress. High numbers of Spotted Lanternfly can reduce photosynthesis, weaken the plant and eventually contribute to the host plant’s death.
(2021) Testing and Tracking the Spread of Grapevine Red Blotch Virus in Oregon Vineyards Grapevine red blotch virus (GRVB) is one of about 80 viruses infecting wine grapes worldwide. It may affect fruit ripening and thus impact the quality of finished wines. GRBV incidence increased from two to 10 times annually in the Willamette Valley and Southern Oregon vineyards sampled and studied from 2014 to 2016
(2018) Vaughn Walton, Entomologist Vaughn Walton is an entomologist with Oregon State University’s Department of Horticulture and also a core researcher with the Oregon Wine Research Institute. He works with vineyardists who are growing grapes for this area’s booming wine industry. His team has determined three species of insects responsible for spreading red blotch.
(2019) Biocontrol of spotted-wing drosophila Biological control agents target SWD, predators, parasitoids, nematodes and microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Predators eat SWD, removing a substantial portion from the production system.
(2019) Monitoring techniques for spotted-wing drosophila Commercial fruit growers use trapping to monitored for adult spotted-wing drosophila in fields and field borders. They monitor other fruits for infestation using a fruit dunk flotation technique.
(2019) Improved chemical control strategies for spotted-wing drosophila Learn how life stages, product choice, timing and coverage impact success in the control of spotted-wing drosophila.
(2019) Optimizing chemical control of spotted-wing drosophila What works best in the control of spotted-wing drosophila? Crop canopy and structure and the type of pesticide spray equipment help determine the effectiveness of pesticide applications.
(2019) Noncrop host plants used by spotted-wing drosophila Dense vegetation around commercial fields creates a suitable habitat for spotted-wing drosophila, as the shade increases pressure and impacts sustainable integrated pest management strategies.
(2019) Cultural control strategies to manage spotted-wing drosophila Cultural controls can reduce spotted-wing drosophila population pressure by modifying the microclimate within the crop so that the environment does not promote SWD reproduction and survival.
(2019) How seasons affect population structure, behavior and risk on spotted-wing drosophila Learn how temperature affects the life cycle of spotted-wing drosophila.
(2019) Hazelnut IPM Resources about integrated pest management for hazelnuts.
(2018) Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Information and resources about the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), an invasive
(2018) Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) Information and resources about monitoring, identification, and management of spotted wing drosophila (SWD), an invasive fruit fly.
(2021) OSU educates growers about invasive, fruit-damaging fly Continuing study is leading to targeted approaches that allow producers to bring crops to market while reducing pesticide use
(2018) Sustainable Hazelnut Production: Filbertworm Control by Mating Disruption Filbertworm is the insect pest of greatest economic importance in Oregon hazelnut production. This publication explains how to Implement mating disruption as a strategy that will reduce damage caused by filbertworm feeding. A mating disruption strategy reduces pesticide applications and protects natural enemies of secondary hazelnut pests such as filbert and hazelnut aphid.
(2017) Trissolcus japonicus: Avispa parasitoide prometedora para el manejo de la chinche hedionda marrón marmoleada (CHMM) La avispa Trissolcus japonicus es una parasitoide que ataca a los huevos de la chinche hedionda marrón marmoleada (CHMM), una plaga de cultivos comerciales y huertos caseros. Por lo tanto, la Trissolcus japonicus tiene el potencial de manejar esta plaga. Esta publicación le ayudará a encontrar y reconocer la Trissolcus japonicus, y explica su modo de parasitismo. Esta publicación está disponible en inglés y español.
(2017) Samurai wasp: Promising egg parasitoid for management of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) The samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus) is a parasitoid that attacks the eggs of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), making it a potential candidate for managing this significant threat to commercial agriculture and residential gardens. This publication will help you know what the samurai wasp looks like, where to find it, and how it parasitizes BMSB eggs. The publication is available both in English and Spanish.
(2015) Biological Control of Black Vine Weevil Larvae in Cranberry Recommends methods for incorporating biocontrol into a management program for black vine weevil larvae.
(2024) Distribution and Monitoring of Grape Mealybug: A Key Vector of Grapevine Leafroll Disease in Oregon A pheromone lure baited with the sex pheromone of grape mealybug is the most reliable way to confirm the presence or absence of this important vector of grapevine leafroll-associated viruses.
(2013) Growing Hazelnuts in the Pacific Northwest: Integrated Pest Management This publication provides an overview of insect, disease, and vertebrate pest management in hazelnut.
(2014) Evaluating Compatibility of Horticultural Oils and Sulfur with Vineyard IPM Typhlodromus pyri is a beneficial insect and key predator of Calepitrimerus vitis in Pacific Coast vineyards. C. vitis is closely associated with short-shoot syndrome. The impact of horticultural (paraffinic) oils and sulfur on T. pyri is presented here. This publication contributes to integrated pest management and conservation of beneficial insects in Oregon coastal vineyards.
(2013) Brown Marmorated Stink Bug The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is an invasive insect and a very serious threat to Oregon agriculture. It feeds on more than 100 plants, including economically important crops and ornamentals. This card has photos and descriptions to help identify brown marmorated stink bugs and distinguish them from other insects. The card also includes photos of damage symptoms on several plants.
(2020) El Chinche Apestoso Marrón Marmolado El chinche apestoso marrón marmolado (Halyomorpha halys) es un insecto invasor y una amenaza muy grave para la agricultura de Oregon. Se alimenta de más de 100 plantas incluyendo plantas agrícolas y ornamentales de importancia económica. Esta tarjeta presenta con fotos y descripciones para ayudar a identificar el chinche apestoso marrón marmolado y distinguirlos de otros insectos. La tarjeta también incluye fotos de los síntomas de daño en varias plantas.
(2009) Prevention and Management of Grapevine Leafroll Virus and Mealybugs in Oregon Vineyards This document suggests practices believed to mitigate the spread of disease and virus.
(2018) Prevención y manejo del virus del enrollamiento de la hoja y de los piojos harinosos en viñedos del estado de Oregon Este documento sugiere prácticas que se cree reducen la propagación de enfermedades y virus.
(2009) A New Pest Attacking Healthy Ripening Fruit in Oregon: Spotted Wing Drosophila Publication provides an overview of spotted wing drosophila identification, biology, damage, monitoring, and control.
(2024) Trapping and Identifying Mealybugs in Oregon Vineyards Vineyard managers will learn how and why to trap vine mealybugs in vineyards.
(2009) Hazelnut Pest and Beneficial Insects: An Identification Guide With color photos and text, describes principal insect pests of hazelnuts (filberts) including life stages, symptoms of infestation, and techniques for sampling population levels. Also describes beneficial insects (generalist natural enemies) that can combat pest insects.
(2024) Field Monitoring for Leafroll Virus and Mealybug in Pacific Northwest Vineyards This publication focuses on in-field identification of signs and symptoms associated with grapevine leafroll-associated viruses and the insects that transmit them.
(2020) Recognize the Symptoms and Causes of Stunted Growth in Vineyards Spring frost, herbicide drift, water or nutrient stress, diseases, and insect and mite pests can cause similar symptoms of stunting or distorted growth in grapevines. Recognizing the symptoms and distinguishing their causes is the first step in diagnosing problems and developing a management plan. With many color photos, this publication will help you identify probable causes of distorted shoot and vine growth in vineyards and direct you to other resources that can lead to solutions
(2007) Identification of Invasive and Reemerging Pests on Hazelnuts Describes key identification features, life cycle, and pest status of filbertworm, filbert weevil, filbert aphid, and hazelnut aphid. Includes color photos.
(2024) 2024 Pest Management Guide for Wine Grapes in Oregon Learn the most effective techniques for controlling insects, weeds and disease on wine grapes in Oregon. Study strategies for controlling powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot and spider mites.
(2021) Grape Phylloxera: Biology and Management in the Pacific Northwest Describes the life cycle and injury symptoms of grape phylloxera, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Fitch), an aphidlike insect that feeds on grape roots. Discusses strategies for reducing the risk of phylloxera infestation, how to sample vines to confirm the presence of phylloxera, how to monitor the rate of spread, ways to manage a phylloxera-infested vineyard, replanting options, and phylloxera-resistant rootstocks.