Lab Members
Dr. Russell L. Groves
Professor and Vegetable Extension Specialist
Phone: (608) 262-3229
Email: groves@entomology.wisc.edu
Education
- Ph.D. Entomology – N.C. State University, 2001
- M.S. Entomology – University of Arkansas, 1992
- B.S. Forestry – Iowa State University, 1989
Program Information
As a Vegetable Extension Specialist (65%) and Applied Insect Ecologist (35%) in the Department of Entomology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, my responsibilities include the development, implementation, and delivery of a research-based, extension program to support integrated pest management of insect and mite pests affecting fresh-market and processing vegetable production in Wisconsin. My extension and research program is centered on the ecology and management of insects of commercial and fresh market vegetable crops. To meet current and emerging challenges, novel research approaches are formulated in response to the stated needs of Wisconsin vegetable growers and producers, cooperating statewide and regional Extension Specialists, County Extension Agricultural Agents, pest management practitioners, crop consultants, and other agribusiness stakeholders in order to assess immediate and developing pest problems.
Next, my research program tests hypotheses that further the understanding of pest population biology based on sound ecological principles derived from a combination of both field and laboratory research. Here, it is essential to balance the development of short-term solutions to these immediate and emerging problems, which out of necessity may require purely empirical and at times ad-hoc approaches, with research to develop fundamental concepts and knowledge that will lead to the development of long-term sustainable solutions. Solutions and strategies developed for the commercial and fresh-market vegetable industry must be durable, economical and both environmentally and socially acceptable to remain effective against key, vegetable pest species affecting the industry.
As an extension educator, it is my goal to create an environment conducive to learning and information exchange where vegetable industry stakeholders can be motivated to acquire new information, concepts and skills. A successful extension and research program is most often the result of a team of collaborators working together. My extension and applied research-based program collaborates with research and extension faculty within the departments of Entomology, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, and Crop Science at the University of Wisconsin as well as scientists from other institutions.
Research Staff
Dr. Scott Chapman
Scott has long been associated with the Department of Entomology here at the University of Wisconsin where he received by a M.S (1998) and a PhD (2003) under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Wyman. After completion of his advanced degree, Scott continued to work in the Vegetable Entomology program and soon thereafter also assumed responsibilities in the Field and Forage Crops Plant Pathology program. He is responsible in part for planning, conducting, evaluating, analyzing, and reporting field research on the management of insect pests and plant pathogens on vegetable and field cropping systems, as well as recruiting, training, and managing summer hourly employees. Scott is also responsible for planning and conducting residue trials for minor crop registrations using IR4, GLP protocols.
Education
- Ph.D. Entomology – University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2003
- M.S. Entomology – University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1998
- B.S. Biology – University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 1995
Ben Bradford
Ben completed his M.S. degree in the Groves Lab and is continuing on in the lab working on a variety of projects, including the upkeep of this website. During his time as a graduate student, he explored the problem of groundwater contamination by neonicotinoid insecticides, specifically thiamethoxam, by surveying high-capacity irrigation wells in the Central Sands vegetable growing region of Wisconsin. In addition to describing the spatial extent and magnitude of this contamination, his thesis explored of the relationship between neonicotinoid contamination and landscape composition in the vicinity of sampled wells. Prior to moving to Wisconsin to pursue a degree in Entomology, Ben worked with the USDA-ARS Aquatic and Invasive Weeds Research Unit in Davis and Albany, CA.
Education
- M.S. Entomology – University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2016
- B.S. Biology – University of California, Davis, 2008
Graduate Students
Sumikshya (Sumi) KC
I’m Sumikshya K.C., from Solukhumbu, Nepal, the homeland of Mount Everest. I completed my Bachelor’s in Agriculture from Tribhuvan University, Nepal in 2019. I started my career as a field enumerator in a USAID project at CIMMYT Nepal. Later, I joined as an Agriculture Instructor at Shree Garma Secondary School, Solukhumbu. It’s been a fantastic experience tutoring students and conducting lab and field research. Continuing with my passion, I co-authored a book named ‘A Textbook of Agricultural Entomology’, a reference book for students pursuing plant science at the intermediate level in Nepal. Furthermore, I am working on publishing a Short Communication Paper titled ‘Diversity of Butterflies at Garma, Solukhumbu’ and a few other articles.
I have a keen interest in studying insects, specifically insect pollinators like wild bees and their conservation. I will be working on Professor Dr Claudio Gratton’s lab and his project called Wi-Bee 2.0. It is a research-extension project focused on developing a citizen science application to determine the abundance and diversity of wild bees at Wisconsin. I am interested in research on safeguarding the habitats of these native pollinators and developing effective crop pollination management tools. It is necessary to explore the impacts on the population dynamics of native pollinators due to changing environments and restore their habitat and resources.
Claire Schloemer
I have always been fascinated by agriculture and the ways we produce our food, especially our vegetables. I’m from St. Marys, Ohio where I got my first real exposure to agriculture through FFA, followed by earning my bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from Purdue University where I discovered a real interest in IPM strategies to manage pests in our agricultural systems. I expanded this interest with my master’s degree in Entomology from Auburn University where I researched organic pest management of insects and nematodes. I’m excited to get started at UW-Madison this fall working with the Groves Lab to test more sustainable pest control options for potato growers in the state. I recently wrapped up a dream job in Glacier National Park where I managed a horse corral offering trail rides. I love to hike, hang out with doggies, and I’m really looking forward to exploring what Madison has to offer!
Victoria Salerno
I started off my undergrad as a PreMed major, but after stumbling into a entomology-focused research lab at UWL, I found a deep LOVE for insects (especially bees!) and immediately changed my major. I am excited to dive into investigating novel methods of bee conservation and broaden our understanding of native bee ecology. I adore the outdoors and am currently enjoying hiking, playing tennis, and volunteering at the Dane County Humane Society. My favorite place in the area to spend time outdoors is Devil’s Lake State Park. I also am always up to try new things, so if you are looking for another teammate to play volleyball or want to go birding, I’m in!
Morgan Weissner
My name is Morgan and I am from Chicago, Illinois. I have always had a special interest for insects which has led me into the field of Entomology! Growing up in a city, I definitely did not have much exposure to a wide range of insects, but I have greatly enjoyed being able to expand my knowledge and connection with them through my education. I finished my Bachelor’s in entomology with a certificate in sustainability here at UW, and my time as an undergraduate introduced me to the aspects of IPM and insects in agricultural settings. My grandparents owned their own farm here in Wisconsin for most of their lives, so working with insects in agriculture is a great connection to my own and my family’s experiences!
Emma Terris
I am from the Twin Cities area in Minnesota and am so excited to begin the second chapter of my Wisconsin experience! Originally pursuing the PreMed track, I switched my focus after working as a summer field researcher in Wisconsin and becoming more interested in food systems. Some areas of research that excite me are anything involving genetics and genomics, the interaction between humans and the environment, and global health topics as they relate to agriculture. In the fall I will be joining the Schoville lab working with potato beetles, which I am quite acquainted with from my brief time in the field.
Chris Blume
Chris is currently a Ph.D. student in the Groves Lab. He is researching the genetics of corn rootworm and how resistance to insecticides and transgenic Bt corn is influenced by landscape and agronomic factors.
Lab Alumni
Victoria Lason Harrod
Victoria was a M.S. entomology student co-advised by Dr. Jeri Barak and Dr. Russell Groves. Her research concerned the characterization and influencing factors responsible for the survival and spread of Salmonella enterica in fresh produce crops, primarily through an entomological perspective. Analyzing the relationships between Salmonella persistence in fresh produce and a variety of phytophagous insects holds potential to aid in the development of food protection strategies in the future.
Shannon Piper
Shannon was a PhD student jointly advised by the Departments of Entomology and Plant Pathology. Her research focus was studying the role of microbial associates in the transmission of aster yellows phytoplasma, a bacterial plant pathogen that has a wide host range, including many economically important crops. She began by investigating the microbial associates of its insect vector, the leafhopper Macrosteles quadrilineatus.
Megan Lipke
Megan was a M.S. student in the Groves Lab. She investigated neonicotinoid contaminants in surface water streams in central Wisconsin and how the surrounding landscape composition may alter neonicotinoid concentrations. She was also interested in the effects of neonicotinoid contaminants on aquatic macroinvertebrates.
Linda Crubaugh
Linda assisted with field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments, collection and analysis of data for reports, extension and research manuscript preparation, updating and revising UW Extension booklets and fact sheets related to the Vegetable Entomology program as well as general laboratory management.
Emily Duerr
Emily was the GIS (geographic information system) specialist in the Groves lab, where she compiled, extracted and analyzed GIS landcover data, managed and analyzed complex entomological databases, and conducted field surveys, as well as field and lab experiments on disease host plants and vector insects.
Erin Lowe
Erin was interested in applying ecological and interdisciplinary research to further the sustainability of agricultural systems. She was particularly interested in pollination ecology, specifically understanding how local management and landscape features interact to influence wild pollinators and how pollinator behavior impacts the delivery of pollination services. Her thesis project focused on the ways in which pollinator plantings and habitat availability impact the richness, abundance, and nesting success of wild bees in pickling cucumber.
Marjorie Garcia
Marjorie was interested in molecular biology techniques applies to ecology, evolution, and genetics studies. Before joining the Groves Lab, she worked with eight research teams in French and Brazilian institutes. Her duties there were to develop lab protocols, generate and analyze genetic data, manage wet labs and sequencing platforms, and mentor students.
Justin Clements
Justin recently completed his Ph.D. in the molecular and environmental toxicology program here at UW-Madison before joining the Groves lab. His work focused on understanding the underlying cause of the decrease in insecticide effectiveness on Colorado potato beetles in order to establish an effective pest management strategy for Wisconsin potato farmers.
Mary Appleman
Mary was an agronomist by training with experience in commercial potato production and research in central Wisconsin. Her research focused on understanding the ways in which data management and evolving disease detection tools can aid commercial growers in detecting, diagnosing, and managing disease in potato cropping systems. She pursued a PhD in Plant Pathology, co-advised by Dr. Groves and Dr. Amanda Gevens.
Ben Sedillo
Ben was an M.S. student in the molecular and environmental toxicology program. His work focused on studying the adverse effects of pesticides on aquatic insects in Wisconsin tributaries. Ben tested these tributaries for the neonicotinoid insecticides Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam.
Ryan Bower
Ryan was a PhD student co-advised by Dr. Russell Groves and Dr. Jeri Barak. He took a genetic approach to discover colonization factors within the Salmonella enterica genome while in phytophagous insects and plants. Ryan’s objective was to further our basic understanding of how Salmonella spp. can persist in such a wide diversity of organisms and help to direct future protection strategies. Securing a safe food supply will be critical as food is in higher demand in the coming years.
Kathryn Prince
Kat Prince completed her M.S. in entomology and agroecology in this lab. Her research took place in Wisconsin’s Central Sands growing region, where she studied the wild pollinator community in conventional vegetable crops. She also analyzed the concentration of neonicotinoid pesticides within plant tissues as these crops grow. The results from this project should help us learn which bees are present in this important agricultural region and the environmental risks they may be facing.
Natalie Hernandez
Natalie’s research focused on correlating which species of aphid are present in potato fields when potato virus Y (PVY) is first detected. By determining which species are actually spreading the virus, PVY management practices can be improved.
Chris Bloomingdale
Chris was an M.S. student co-advised by Dr. Damon Smith in the Department of Plant Pathology. Chris’s research focused on thrips dispersal and soybean vein necrosis virus, a new pathogen in soybean.
Chen Zhang
Chen completed her M.S. in the Department of Plant Pathology. She worked in our laboratory investigating host plant resistance to infection by Potato virus Y. She also successfully completed a dual major in the Biometry in the Department of Statistics here at the UW-Madison, and specifically investigated novel, analytical approaches for the accurate determination of infection using serological techniques.
Jose Pablo Dundore-Arias
JP was a PhD student in the Groves Lab working on the mechanisms of how phytophagous insects enhance the epiphytic survival and transmission of Salmonella enterica in association with fresh produce.
Anders Huseth
Anders was a PhD student in the Groves Lab, interested in sustainable vegetable production with an emphasis on Integrated Pest Management and Insect Resistance Management. His research concentration focused upon coupling emerging geospatial techniques and primary research to further develop effective pest management strategies. Using Colorado potato beetle as a model, Anders’s project worked to document variable overwintering biology and crop colonization of the pest in Wisconsin.
Ken Frost
Ken earned his PhD in our laboratory in 2012 and was a post-doctoral, Research Associate in the Vegetable Pathology laboratory here at the UW-Madison.
Shahideh Nouri
Shahideh’s Ph.D. thesis research in the Groves’ lab focused on the characterization of a novel satellite RNA associated with natural populations of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in Wisconsin snap bean fields and the comparison of genetic diversity of CMV populations in snap bean and pepper fields.
David Lowenstein
David’s M.S. thesis research in the Groves’ lab focused on how spatial heterogeneity and planting date affects the abundance and diversity of the native pollinator community in pickling cucumber.
Emily Mueller
Emily worked in both the Entomology and Plant Pathology departments during her time at the UW-Madison. Her work in the Groves’ lab focused on aphid identification and PVY detection in potatoes.
Sarah Schramm
Sarah’s work in the Groves’ lab focused on generating Extension materials, such as fact sheets and other publications, and developing the Vegetable Crop Entomology website.