Current faculty and department program areas are:

Biological Control
Biological control can provide safe, permanent solutions to insect pest problems through the use of natural enemies. Research is currently under way involving the biological control of insects pests of trees, livestock, alfalfa, corn, wheat, and sorghum.

Dr. Fred Baxendale
Dr. Steve Danielson
Dr. Gary Hein
Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss
Dr. Tom Hunt
Dr. Robert Wright

 

Field Crops Entomology
Essential food and forage crops often are threatened by insect and mite pests. Minimizing the impact of these pests is a major research objective of the department, with emphasis on pests of alfalfa, corn, dry beans, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets, and wheat.

Dr. Jeff Bradshaw
Dr. Gary Hein
Dr. Tom Hunt
Dr. Lance Meinke
Dr. Robert Wright

 

Forensic Science
Forensic science is any science that is conducted for use in the legal system. Often times, this science is applied to criminal cases. Forensic science in the Department of Entomology focuses on the activities of insects associated with cadaver decomposition and blood spatter (forensic entomology) as well as the dynamics of cadaveric materials and microorganisms in soil (forensic soil ecology). Much of this work is categorized in a subfield of forensic science known as forensic taphonomy.

Forensic taphonomy refers to the processes associated with the decomposition and preservation of animal and plant remains. Forensic taphonomy contributes to forensic science by assisting in the estimation of postmortem interval, the location of clandestine graves, and the determination of cause and manner of death. Here in the Department of Entomology we take an aboveground-belowground approach in an attempt to better understand the interactions between animal remains, insects, soil, and soil microorganisms. We then use these interactions to develop and enhance scientific techniques for use in a forensic context.

Dr. Fred Baxendale
Dr. Ashley Hall

 

Horticultural Entomology
Insects and mites associated with turf, fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals are studied in an effort to reduce the adverse effects of arthropod pests. Studies are under way to determine the importance of insect pests in the establishment of low maintenance lawns in Nebraska.

Dr. Fred Baxendale
Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss

 

Insect Ecology
This is the study of how insects and other arthropods interact with their environment. Research in the department addresses population dynamics, microclimatic influences, food utilization, trophic level relationships, modeling, and behavior.

Dr. Jeff Bradshaw
Dr. Steve Danielson
Dr. Tom Hunt
Dr. Lance Meinke
Dr. Nick Miller

 

Insect Genetics
Molecular, cellular, and organismal mechanisms that allow insects to transfer genetic information from one generation to another are studied in the Department. Efforts focus on resistance mechanisms, biotype formation, and characterization of sibling species.

Dr. Jeff Bradshaw
Dr. John Foster
Dr. Gary Hein
Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss
Dr. Lance Meinke
Dr. Nick Miller
Dr. Blair Siegfried
Dr. Dave Taylor

 

Insect Pest Management
Insect pest management aims to develop and implement environmentally sound, sustainable practices to reduce the impact of insect pests. This research area concentrates on pests of field crops, livestock, horticultural crops, urban environments, and forests.

Dr. Fred Baxendale
Dr. Jeff Bradshaw
Dr. Gary Hein
Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss
Dr. Tom Hunt
Dr. Shripat Kamble
Dr. Lance Meinke
Dr. Robert Wright

 

Insect Systematics
Biodiversity, taxonomy, and phylogenetic relationships of insects are of major importance to researchers today. UN-L has excellent entomology research collections that rank in the top 20 collections in North America. Research includes systematics studies on many diverse taxa but especially beetles.

Dr. Brett Ratcliffe

 

Insecticide/Environmental Toxicology
The impact of pesticides and other toxic agents on insects and the environment are crucial issues. Human exposure, mode of action, resistance development, and environmental water quality are major areas of research.

Dr. Shripat Kamble
Dr. Blair Siegfried

 

Plant-Insect Interactions
This research area includes both relationships of insect herbivores and their natural enemies as well as to the host plant responses to arthropod stress. Research is directed at physiological, chemical, behavioral, morphological, and microclimatic factors in these interactions.

Dr. Fred Baxendale
Dr. Jeff Bradshaw
Dr. John Foster
Dr. Gary Hein
Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss
Dr. Tom Hunt
Dr. Shripat Kamble
Dr. Lance Meinke
Dr. Nick Miller
Dr. Robert Wright

 

Plant Resistance to Insects
This research focuses on plant-insect interactions as they are affected by genetic manipulation of the host plant to reduce losses due to insect pests. Major areas of research involve the study of plant resistance-breaking biotypes, and investigation of tri-trophic relationships.

Dr. Fred Baxendale
Dr. Jeff Bradshaw
Dr. John Foster
Dr. Gary Hein
Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss

 

Urban Entomology
The ecology and management of insect pests associated with urban environments are key areas in research and extension. Emphasis is placed on the management of structural and nuisance pests, hazards humans and the environment.

Dr. Shripat Kamble

 

Veterinary Entomology
Livestock production is a major industry in Nebraska and insect pests are important factors that must be managed wisely. Work on the biology, ecology, behavior, biological control, and pest management of insects of importance to livestock production is emphasized.

Dr. Roberto Cortinas
Dr. Dave Taylor