Dr. Justin McMechan

About

Dr. Justin McMechan is an Associate Professor of Entomology with a combination Extension and Research appointment. He received both his Doctor of Plant Health (DPH) degree and his doctorate in Entomology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2016.  He works mostly at Entomology Hall on UNL's East Campus in Lincoln and at the Eastern Nebraska Research Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) near Mead.

Education

• Assoc. in Agribusiness, Assiniboine Community College, Manitoba, Canada, 2006
• B.S. in Agronomy, University of Minnesota, Crookston, 2009
• M.S. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2012
• D.P.H. Doctor of Plant Health, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2016
• Ph.D. in Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2016

Professional Responsibilities and Activities

• His research program has been built from emerging agricultural issues (pests of cover crop-to-corn systems, corn ear abnormalities, soybean gall midge, and hail damage in row crops) that have occurred over the last 5 years.
  
• Dissemination of that information to clientele occurs through a combination of innovative (automated phone, text, email, timelapse, infographics) and traditional techniques (field days, news articles, interviews).

Publications

Publications:

1. de Vasconcelos Gomes, Victor Emmanuel, Corinne Lee, Alexander Lindsey, Wanderson Novais, Nasib Koirala, Mark Zarnstorff, James Houx, A.J. McMechan, Osler Ortez, and Elliot Knoell. 2024. Defoliation level and timing affect popcorn yield traits in the Midwestern United States. Field Crops Research 315: 109472.
2. Silva, Tatiane Severo, Spyridon Mourtzinis, Anthony Justin McMechan, Gabriela Inveninato Carmona, Bruce D. Potter, Kelley J. Tilmon, Louis S. Hesler. 2024. Cereal rye cover crop termination at or before soybean planting has minimal effect on soybean yield across the midwestern US. Field Crops Research 312: 109393.
3. Chen, Dongmei, Gary L. Hein, Rebecca Adams-Selin, Lin Wang, Jingcheng Zhang, Xianfeng Zhou, Huiqin Ma, A. J. McMechan, and Yeyin Shi. 2024. Spatial relationship between pre-harvest hail and the impact from the wheat streak mosaic disease complex by using remote sensing data. Crop Protection. 179: 106627.
4. Lisboa, I. P., C. A. Proctor, R. W. Elmore, A. J. McMechan, N. D. Mueller, J. Wilson, G. Zobeck, A. Nygren, A. Bastidas, and O. A. Ortez. 2024. Evaluating the yield of surviving plants from early‐season hail damage in corn: A field survey. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment 7(3): e20533
5. Ortez, O.A., A.J. McMechan, E. Robinson, T. Hoegemeyer, R. Howard, and R.W. Elmore. 2024. Abnormal ear development in corn: Does hybrid, environment, and planting date matter? Agronomy Journal. 155: 1796-1811.
6. McMechan, A.J., J. Schroeder da Souza, N. Umezu, P. Gupta, and G. Inveninato. 2023. Hilling as a cultural control strategy for soybean gall midge. Resseliella maxima (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 116(6): 2009-2013. Role: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – draft, review & editing
7. Carmona, G. and A.J. McMechan. 2023. Evaluating the impact of at-plant termination of a cereal rye cover crop with different corn planting dates on arthropod activity. Environmental Entomology. 52(3): 371-378. Role: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – review & editing
8. Baldin, E.L.L., M.C. Emanoeli-Soares, A. da Silva Santana, T.E. Hunt, A.J. McMechan, A.M. Velez Arango, and J. Louis. 2023. Efficacy of ethanolic seed extracts of Annona spp. against Aphis glycines. Crop Protection, 170: 106268. Role: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, and Supervision
9. Ortez, O., A.J. McMechan, T. Hoegemeyer, R. Elmore, E. Robinson., and R. Howard. 2023. Abnormal ear development in corn: Does hybrid, environment, and seeding rate matter? Agronomy Journal. 2023; 1-16. Role: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – review & editing
10. Carmona, G., E. Robinson, A. Rosa, C. Proctor, and A.J. McMechan. 2022. Impact of cover crop planting and termination dates on arthropod activity in the follow corn. Journal of Economic Entomology. 115 (4): 1177-1190. Role: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – review & editing
11. Ortez, O., A. J. McMechan, T. Hoegemeyer, I. Ciampitti, R. Nielsen, P. Thomison, and R.W. Elmore. 2022. Conditions potentially affecting corn ear formation, yield, and abnormal ears: a review. Crop, Forage, & Turfgrass Management. 8:e20173. Role: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – review & editing
12. Helton, M., N. Tinsley, A.J. McMechan and E. W. Hodgson. 2022. Developing an injury severity to yield loss relationship for soybean gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 115(3): 767-772. Role: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Provided Data, Writing – review & editing
13. Ortez, O. A. J. McMechan, T. Hoegemeyer, J. Rees, T. Jackson-Ziems, and R. W. Elmore. 2022. Ear development issues in corn: A field survey. Agroeco., Geo. & Env. 5(1): 1-18. Role: Conceptualization, Data collection, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – review & editing
14. Ortez, O., A. J. McMechan, T. Hoegemeyer, I. Ciampitti, R. Nielsen, P. Thomison, and R.W. Elmore. 2022. Abnormal Ear Development in Corn: A Review. Agronomy Journal. (114)2: 1168-1183. Role: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – review & editing.
15. Carmona, G. E. Robinson, J. Campos, and A.J. McMechan. 2022. Impact of timing and use of an insecticide on arthropods in cover crop-corn systems. Insects. 13(4): 348-366.
16. McMechan, A. J., E. Hodgson, A. J. Varenhorst, T. Hunt, R. Wright, and B. Potter. 2021. First report of a new species, Resseliella maxima (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), causing injury to soybean in the United States. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 12(1): 8, 1-4. Role: Project Administration, Conceptualization, Investigation, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – original, review & editing
17. Carmona G., L. M. Delserone, J.N. Duarte Campos, T. Ferriera de Almeida, D. Ozorio, J. Betancurth Cardona, R. Wright, and A.J. McMechan. 2021. Does cover crop management impact arthropods in the subsequent corn and soybean crops in the USA? A systematic review. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. doi: 10.1093/aesa/saaa049. Role: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – review & editing
18. Hunt, E., H. Birge, C. Laingen, M. Licht, W. Baule, A. J. McMechan, and T. Connor. 2020. A perspective on changes across the U.S. Corn Belt. Environmental Research Letters. ERL-108408-R1.
19. Scierresi, C., C. Proctor, E. Haramoto, L. Lindsey, G. Carmona, R. Elmore, S. Everhart, W. Looker, M. Marroquin-Guzman, A. J. McMechan, J. Wehrbein, R. Werle, and M. Salmeron. 2020. Evaluating short-season soybean management adaptations for cover crop rotations with a crop simulation model. Field Crops Research 249: 107734.
20. Carmona G., J. Rees, R. Seymour, R. Wright, and A. J. McMechan. 2019. Wheat Stem Maggot (Diptera: Chloropidae): An emerging pest of cover crop to corn transition systems. Plant Health Progress. 20: 147-154.
21. Gagne, R., J.  Yukawa, A. Elsayed, and A. J. McMechan. 2019. A new pest species of Resseliella (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on soybean (Fabaceae) in North America with a description of the genus. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 121(2):168-177. Role: Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing
22. Tatineni, S. A. J. McMechan, and G. Hein. 2018. Wheat streak mosaic virus coat protein is a determinant for vector transmission by the wheat curl mite. Virology. Role: Data collection, Writing – review & editing
23. Wosula, E. A. J. McMechan, E. Knoell, T. Satyanarayana, S. Wegulo, and G. Hein. 2018. Impact of timing and method of virus inoculation on the severity of wheat streak mosaic disease. Plant Disease. Role: Conceptualization, Data collection, Writing – review & editing
24. McMechan, A. J. and G. L. Hein. 2017. Population dynamics of the wheat curl mite (Acari: Eriophyidae) during the heading stages of winter wheat. Journal of Economic Entomology. 110(2): 355-361. Role: Conceptualization, Analysis, Data collection, Writing – review & editing
25. Nguy-Robertson T., A. Zygielbaum, McMechan, A., G. Hein, S. Wegulo, A. Stilwell, and T. Smith. 2016. Developing a framework for a risk map for mite vectored viruses in wheat resulting from pre-harvest hail damage in western Nebraska, U.S.A. Crop Protection. 89: 21-31.
26. Wosula, E., A. McMechan, C. Oliveira-Hofman, S. N. Wegulo, and G. L. Hein. 2016. Differential transmission of two isolates of Wheat streak mosaic virus by five wheat curl mite populations. Plant Dis. 100(1): 154-158.
27. McMechan, A. J. and G. L. Hein. 2016. Planting date and variety selection for management of viruses transmitted by the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer). Journal of Economic Entomology. 109(1): 70-77.
28. Byamukama E., S. Tatineni, G. Hein, J. McMechan, and S. N. Wegulo. 2016. Incidence of Wheat streak mosaic virus, Triticum mosaic virus, and Wheat mosaic virus in wheat curl mites recovered from maturing winter wheat spikes. Plant Dis. 100(2): 318-323.
29. Tatineni, S., A. McMechan, M. Bartels, G. L. Hein and R. A. Graybosch. 2015. In vitro transcripts of wild-type and fluorescent protein-tagged Triticum mosaic virus (Family Potyviridae) are biologically active in wheat. Phytopathology. 105(11): 1496-1505.
30. Wosula, E., A. McMechan, G. L. Hein. 2015. The effects of temperature, humidity, virus infection status on off host survival of Aceria tosichella (Trombidiformes: Eriophyidae). J. Econ. Ent. 108(4): 1545-1552.
31. Tatineni S., A. McMechan, E. Wosula, S. Wegulo, R. Graybosh, R. French, and G. Hein. 2014. An eriophyoid mite-transmitted plant virus contains eight genomic RNA segments with unusual heterogeneity in nucleocapsid protein. Journal of Virology 88(20): 11834-11845.
32. McMechan A., S. Tatineni, R. French and G. Hein. 2014. Differential transmission of Triticum mosaic virus by wheat curl mite populations collected in the Great Plains. Plant Disease. Plant Disease. 98(6): 806-810.

Book Chapter:

1. Hein, G., A.J. McMechan, and L. Overmyer. 2023. Burleigh Dodds Series in Agriculture. Chapter 11: Wheat curl mite ecology and epidemiology of its associated viruses. Published: May 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.19103/AS.2022.0114.11

Presentations

Extension Presentations: 185 total (168 in-state, 18 out-of-state) to 13,345 participants

Invited Oral presentations. Society Meetings Only.

1. McMechan, A.J., E. Hodgson, A. Varenhorst, B. Potter, T. Hunt, and R. Wright. 2022. Soybean Gall Midge: Understanding ecology and management through field research. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Minneapolis, MN. March.
2. McMechan, A.J., E. Hodgson, A. Varenhorst, B. Potter, T. Hunt, and R. Wright. 2021. Soybean Gall Midge: Understanding a New and Emerging Pest of Soybean. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
3. McMechan, A.J., E. Hodgson, A. Varenhorst, B. Potter, T. Hunt, and R. Wright. 2019. Soybean gall midge, a new pest in the north central region. ESA North Central Branch.
4. McMechan A.J. 2019. Extension communication on emerging issues: Tools, resources and follow up. ESA North Central Branch. ESA North Central Branch.
5. McMechan, A.J., G. Carmona, and R. Wright. 2018. Emergence of wheat stem maggot as a pest of cover crop to corn transition systems. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting.
6. McMechan A. J. 2018. Infographics and time-lapse for teaching and extension programs. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting.
7. McMechan A. J. 2017. Time-lapse and GoPro video: Dual purposes for research and extension programs. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting.
8. McMechan A. J. 2016. Video evaluation, Time-lapse, and Photo Geolocation: Tools for Integrating Research and Extension. International Congress of Entomology and Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. September.
9. McMechan A. J. 2016. Entomological Society of America Webinar: Standing out from the crowd: Giving the best presentation at ESA. August.
10. McMechan A. J. 2016. Assessing risk of over-summering hosts for wheat-mite-virus complex in winter wheat. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. June.
11. McMechan A. J. 2014. Challenges, Opportunities and Career Outlook: A student’s perspective. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. November.

Submitted Oral Presentations (57 submitted)

1. McMechan A. J., E. Hodgson, B. Potter, T. Hunt. A. Varenhorst, R. Koch, and R. Wright. 2023. Four years of soybean gall midge adult emergence: what we know and don’t know. ESA National Meeting. National Harbor, MD. November.
2. Umezu, N. and A. J. McMechan. 2023. Understanding the role of hail damage on soybean gall midge abundance. ESA National Meeting. National Harbor, MD. November.
3. Gupta, P. and A. J. McMechan. 2023. The role of timing of hilling and its impact on soybean gall midge. ESA National Meeting. National Harbor, MD. November.
4. Knoell, E., B. Potter, R. Koch, and A. J. McMechan. 2023. Effect of grass field edge mowing on soybean gall midge infestation and injury in soybean. ESA National Meeting. National Harbor, MD. November.
5. Gupta, P., G. Carmona and A. J. McMechan. 2023. Infestation potential and susceptibility of soybean to soybean gall midge during the growing season. North Central Branch and Southwestern Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Oklahoma City, OK. April.
6. Umezu, N., G. Carmona, A. J. McMechan. 2023. Evaluating planting date and seed treatment as management tactics for soybean gall midge.. North Central Branch and Southwestern Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Oklahoma City, OK. April.
7. Kolbe, B. E. Hodgson, and A.J. McMechan. 2023. Pre-season tillage and its influence on soybean gall midge. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Minneapolis, MN. March. North Central Branch and Southwestern Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Oklahoma City, OK. April.
8. Lima, M., and A. J. McMechan. 2023. Spatial distribution of soybean gall midge (Resseliella maxima   Gagne) larvae from infested soybean plants under field conditions. North Central Branch and Southwestern Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Oklahoma City, OK. April.
9. Gupta, P., G. Carmona, M. Geraldo Pires De Mello Ribeiro, and A. J. McMechan. 2022. Impact of timing of hilling on the management of soybean gall midge. ESA, ESC, and ESBC Joint Annual Meeting. Vancouver, BC, Canada. November
10. Da Silva Lima, M. and A. J. McMechan. 2022. Seasonal dynamics of soybean gall midge cocoons in soil from infested soybean fields. ESA, ESC, and ESBC Joint Annual Meeting. Vancouver, BC, Canada. November
11. Umezu, N., G. Carmona, A. J. McMechan. 2022. Planting date and an at-plant insecticide as management strategy for soybean gall midge. ESA, ESC, and ESBC Joint Annual Meeting. Vancouver, BC, Canada. November
12. Lima, M., T. Possebom, D. Montezano, J. Knodel, K. Anderson, T. Hunt, V. Montenegro, A. J. McMechan. 2022. Cocoon distribution of soybean gall midge in the soil profile. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Minneapolis, MN. March.
13. Kolbe, B. E. Hodgson, and A.J. McMechan. 2022. Pre-season tillage effects on Resseliella maxima emergence. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Minneapolis, MN. March.
14. Kaur, R. A. Velez, T. Hunt and A.J. McMechan. 2022. Characterizing the geographic distribution of newly emerged pest, the soybean gall midge across its geographic and host plant range. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Minneapolis, MN. March.
15. Agpawa, E. and A.J. McMechan. 2022. Impact of artificial rainfall and physical barriers on the timing and abundance of soybean gall midge. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Minneapolis, MN. March.
16. Montenegro, V. and A. J. McMechan. 2022. Soybean gall midge: understanding larval abundance on soybean plants during the growing season. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Minneapolis, MN. March.
17. Umezu, N., R. Stacke, and A. J. McMechan. 2022. Evaluating the role of hail damage in soybean gall midge infestation. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Minneapolis, MN. March.
18. Carmona, G., E. Robinson, A. J. McMechan. 2022. Insecticide use in cover crops-corn systems: understanding impact at a field scale. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Minneapolis, MN. March.
19. Montenegro, V. and A. J. McMechan. 2021. Soybean gall midge: evaluating the efficacy of insecticide timing relative to adult emergence. Annual Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
20. Pitla, S., A.J. McMechan, and A. Velez. 2021. Agricultural robots in broad-acre row crop production. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
21. Kaur, R. A. Velez and A.J. McMechan. 2021. Soybean gall midge: characterizing the geographic and host plant range distribution. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
22. Carmona, G. and A.J. McMechan. 2021. Understanding the role of cover crop biomass on arthropods in a corn system. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
23. Hein, G., E. Knoell, A.J. McMechan, L. Overmyer, and A. Stillwell. 2021. Spatial interactions and management implications of the mite-virus complex in winter wheat. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
24. Knoell, E., A.J. McMechan, T. Hunt, K. Tilmon, B. Potter, R. Koch, S. Conley, L. Hesler, N. Seiter, and K. Rice. 2021. Effect of rye cover crop termination timing on arthropods in soybean. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
25. Montenegro, V., E. Robinson, and A. J. McMechan. 2021. Soybean gall midge: understanding seasonal larval abundance. ESA North Central Branch. June. Online
26. Golick, D. A.J. McMechan, and G. Hein. 2021. The wheat farmer’s challenge. An educational game teaching the wheat-mite-virus complex and associated pest management practices. ESA North Central Branch. June. Online
27. McMechan, A.J., E. Hodgson, A. Varenhorst, B. Potter, T. Hunt, and R. Wright. 2021. Soybean gall midge: observation and challenges from the 2020 season. ESA North Central Branch. June. Online
28. Campos, J., Wright R. and A. J. McMechan. 2021. Impact of cover crop species and termination date on arthropod activity in a corn production system. ESA North Central Branch. June. Online
29. McMechan, A.J., E. Hodgson, A. Varenhorst, B. Potter, T. Hunt, and R. Wright. 2020. Soybean gall midge: Multi-state field observations from the 2020 season. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. November. Online
30. Montenegro, V. and A. J. McMechan. 2020. Soybean gall midge: understanding larval abundance on soybean plants during the growing season. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. November. Online.
31. Helton, M., E. Hodgson, A. J. McMechan and N. Tinsley. 2020. Injury severity to yield loss relationship for soybean gall midge. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. November. Online.
32. Helton, M., E. Hodgson, A. J. McMechan and N. Tinsley. 2020. Insecticide efficacy evaluation and emergence observations for soybean gall midge. North Central Branch Meeting. April 20^th. Online.
33. Campos, J., Wright R. and A. J. McMechan. 2020. New host plant identified for wheat stem maggot. North Central Branch Meeting. April 20^th. Online.
34. Campos, J., Wright R. and A. J. McMechan. 2020. The impact of cover crops on arthropod activity in a corn production system. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting, St. Louis, MO.
35. Ortez, O., A.J. McMechan, R. Elmore. 2020. Corn ear abnormalities: a review. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meeting. Online. November.
36. Mueller, N., T. Williams, A. Bly, L. Edwards, A.J. McMechan, and N. Mueller. 2019. Scenario Planning. – Developing Crop Management Strategies for the Most Impactful Climate and Weather Scenario. Extension Disaster Education Network Annual Meeting. Spokane, WA. September.
37. Woldt, W. Yeyin, S. A.J. McMechan, and D. Martin. 2019. Field operations for a remotely piloted aerial application system (RPAAS). National Agricultural Aviation Association. Orlando, FL.
38. McMechan, A.J., E. Hodgson, A. Varenhorst, B. Potter, T. Hunt, and R. Wright. 2019. Soybean gall midge: Observations on an emerging pest of soybean. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting, St. Louis, MO.
39. Montezano D., McMechan A.J., Hunt, T., and R. Wright. 2019 Evaluating the impact of planting date on soybean gall midge infestation and injury to soybean. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting, St. Louis, MO.
40. Bradshaw, J., Peterson J., Wright R., Hunt, T., and A. J. McMechan. 2019. Improving IPM adoption through clientele collaboration in applied ecology. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting, St. Louis, MO.
41. Carmona, G. and A. J. McMechan. 2019. Influence of cover crop management tactics on arthropods in a cover crop to corn systems. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting, St. Louis, MO.
42. Campus, J., Wright R. and A. J. McMechan. 2019. The impact of cover crops on arthropod activity in a corn production system. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting, St. Louis, MO.
43. Proctor C., E. Haramoto, D. Redfearn, J. Parson, A.J. McMechan, R. Elmore, L. Lindsay, M. Drewnoski, S. Everhart, R. Werle, and J. Wehrbein. 2019. Yield of soybean relative maturity group varieties grown in the Midwest and upper midsouth. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX
44. Proctor C., E. Haramoto, D. Redfearn, J. Parson, A.J. McMechan, R. Elmore, L. Lindsay, M. Drewnoski, S. Everhart, R. Werle, and J. Wehrbein. 2019. Impact of planting date on fall seeded cover crop biomass production in the Midwest and upper midsouth. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX
45. Carmona, G. and A. J. McMechan. 2019 Evaluating the impact of cover crop management tactics on arthropod activity. North Central Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America.
46. Carmona, G. and A. J. McMechan. 2018. Impact of cover crop planting and termination date on pests and beneficial insects in cover crop to corn transitions. ESA, ESC and ESBC Joint Meeting. Vancouver, Canada.
47. Cortasa, M. S., M. Drewnoski, R. Elmore, S. Everhart, E. Haramoto, L. Lindsey, A.J. McMechan,  J. Parson, C. Proctor, D. Redfearn, and R. Werle. 2018. Evaluation of yield across a range of soybean relative maturity groups. Agronomy Society of America Meeting.
48. Proctor C., E. Haramoto, D. Redfearn, J. Parson, A.J. McMechan, R. Elmore, L. Lindsay, M. Drewnoski, S. Everhart, R. Werle, and J. Wehrbein. 2018. Impact of planting date on fall seeded cover crop biomass production. Agronomy Society of America Meeting.
49. McMechan A.J. and G. Hein. 2015. Effect of wheat curl mite infestation and wheat streak mosaic virus inoculation timing on disease severity in winter wheat. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America.
50. McMechan A.J. and G. Hein. 2015. Risk for alternate over-summering hosts for the wheat-mite-virus complex in winter wheat. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America.
51. McMechan A.J. and G. Hein. 2015. Reproductive capacity of the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer) on alternative hosts. North Central Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Manhattan, Kansas.
52. McMechan A.J. and G. Hein. 2014. Window of risk for pre-harvest volunteer during the heading stages of wheat. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. November 2014.
53. McMechan A.J. and G. Hein. 2014. Risk of alternative hosts as source for wheat-mite-virus complex in winter wheat under field conditions. North Central Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Des Moines, Iowa.
54. McMechan A.J. and G. Hein. 2013. Window of risk for volunteer wheat establishment during the heading stages of wheat and the potential for wheat curl mite infestation. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Austin, Texas.
55. McMechan A.J. and G. Hein. 2013. Impact of Triticum mosaic virus of the biology of the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer). North Central Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Rapid City, South Dakota.
56. McMechan A.J. and G. Hein. 2012. Establishing a window of risk for volunteer wheat and wheat curl mite establishment. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Knoxville, Tennessee.
57. McMechan A.J. and G. Hein. 2012. An evaluation of management tactics for the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer) and the wheat-mite-virus complex. North Central Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America.

Submitted Posters (39 submitted)

1. Gupta, P., J. Schroeder de Souza, N. Umezu, and A. J. McMechan. 2022. Hilling as a Management Strategy for Soybean Gall Midge. UNL, Water and Integrated Cropping Systems Conference (WICS), Lincoln, NE.
2. Carmona, G. and A.J. McMechan. 2022. Influence of cover crop planting and termination dates on arthropods in the following corn. UNL, WICS Conference, Lincoln, NE.
3. Umezu, N. and A.J. McMechan. 2022. Soybean gall midge: evaluating planting date and seed treatment as a management strategy. UNL, WICS Conference, Lincoln, NE.
4. da Silva Lima, M. and A.J. McMechan. 2022. Larval distribution of soybean gall midge from infested soybean plants. UNL, Water and Integrated Cropping Systems Conference, Lincoln, NE.
5. Kaur, R. A. Velez and A.J. McMechan. 2022. Soybean gall midge: Characterizing the population structure of a newly emerged pest across its geographic range and host plants. UNL, Water and Integrated Cropping Systems Conference, Lincoln, NE.
6. Carmona, G. and A. J. McMechan. 2022. Evaluating the impact of at-plant termination of a cereal rye cover crop with different corn planting dates on arthropod activity. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
7. Gupta, P., J. Schroeder de Souza, N. Umezu, and A. J. McMechan. 2022. Hilling as a Management Strategy for Soybean Gall Midge. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Meeting. Minneapolis, MN. March.
8. Schroeder de Souza, J., G. Carmona, and A.J. McMechan. 2021. Soybean gall midge: estimating spatial severity of plant injury and yield loss. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
9. Kolbe, B., A.J. McMechan, and E. Hodgson. 2021. Tillage effects on soybean gall midge overwintering populations. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
10. Umezu, N. and A.J. McMechan. 2021. Soybean gall midge: evaluating planting date and seed treatment as a management strategy. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
11. da Silva Lima, M. and A.J. McMechan. 2021. Larval distribution of soybean gall midge from infested soybean plants. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
12. Agpawa, E. and A.J. McMechan. 2021. Soybean gall midge: understanding adult emergence through artificial rainfall and physical barriers. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. Denver, Colorado. November.
13. de Souza Ferreira, V., A. Nygren, S. Melvin, A.J. McMechan, J. Specht, C. Proctor. 2021. How fall-planted cover crops impact optimal seeding rate, row spacing, and yield. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah. November.
14. Ortez, O., A.J. McMechan, R. Elmore. 2021. Abnormal ear development in corn: a comprehensive approach. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah. November.
15. Kaur, R. A. Velez and A.J. McMechan. 2021. Soybean gall midge: Characterizing the population structure of a newly emerged pest across its geographic range and host plants. ESA North Central Branch. June. Online.
16. Ortez, O., A.J. McMechan, and R. Elmore. 2020. Corn ear abnormalities: a review. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting. November. Online.
17. Possebom, T., D. Montezano, J. Knodel, K. Anderson, M. Harris, V. Montenegro, T. Hunt and A.J. McMechan. 2020. The distribution of soybean gall midge (Resseliella maxima) larval cocoons in soil from infested soybean fields. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. November. Online.
18. Carmona, G. and A.J. McMechan. 2020. Influence of cover crop planting and termination dates on arthropods in the following corn. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. November. Online.
19. Vogel, T. P. Rozeboom, A.J. McMechan, and A. J. Varenhorst. 2020. Evaluating the distribution of soybean gall midge in South Dakota. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting. November. Online.
20. Montenegro, V., A.J. McMechan, R. Wright, and D. Montezano. 2020. Soybean Gall Midge: Evaluating the efficacy of insecticide timing relative to adult emergence. North Central Branch Meeting. April 20^th. Online.
21. Helton, M. VanNostrand, G. A.J. McMechan, and E. Hodgson. 2019. Insecticide efficacy evaluation for soybean gall midge. Entomological Society of America Meeting, St. Louis, MO
22. Turabawe G., Montenzano D., and A.J. McMechan. 2019. Evaluating the movement and infestation potential of soybean gall midge larvae. Entomological Society of America Meeting, St. Louis, MO
23. Carmona, G. and A.J. McMechan. 2019. Impact of insecticides in a cover crop to corn system. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting, St. Louis, MO.
24. Golick, D., McMechan A.J., G. Hein. 2019. The wheat farmer’s challenge. A wheat-mite-virus management game. Annual Entomological Society of America Meeting, St. Louis, MO.
25. Campos, J., R. Wright, and A.J. McMechan. 2019 Evaluating the impact of cover crop species and termination date on arthropod activity in a corn production system. ESA North Central Branch Meeting.
26. Koehler-Cole, K., Glewen K. and A.J. McMechan. 2019. Microbial abundance and diversity after rye cover crops. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX
27. Ortez, O., Sosa, I., Farabaugh, K., McMechan A.J., and R. Elmore. 2019. Planting date effect on corn growth and ear issues. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX
28. McMechan A.J., Campos, J., K. Wilmes, C. Proctor. 2019. Effect of termination timing on spring biomass production for cereal rye, wheat, and triticale cover crops. November. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX
29. Ortez, O., McMechan A.J., Hoegemeyer, and R. Elmore. 2019. Corn growth and development: Ear formation issues. November. ASA-CSSA-SSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX
30. Melotto, G. K. Swobodo Bhattari, A.J. McMechan, and J. Peterson. 2018. Western bean cutworm egg hatching and neonate behavior on maize. ESA, ESC and ESBC Joint Meeting. Vancouver, Canada.
31. Farabaugh, K., A.J. McMechan, O. Ortez, R. Elmore. 2018. Delayed emergence impact on corn ear formation issues. Agronomy Society of America Meeting.
32. Ortez, O. A.J. McMechan, J. Rees, T. Hoegemeyer, and R. Elmore. 2018. Ear formation issues in corn: A field survey. Agronomy Society of America Meeting. November. Baltimore, MD.
33. Mueller, N. R. Elmore, A.J. McMechan, A. Mueller, and T. Williams. 2018. Hail Know – Enhancing and extending hail damage and recovery information for crops in traditional and social media. Agronomy Society of America Meeting.
34. Carmona, G. and A. J. McMechan. 2018. Evaluating wheat stem maggot as an emerging pest of cover crop to corn transition systems. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting.
35. Obermeyer, L., G. Hein, S. Wegulo, R. Graybosch, and A.J. McMechan. 2017. Identification of Resistance to Mite-Transmitted Viruses in Winter Wheat through Field Screening. North Central Branch Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting.
36. Proctor, C., J. Rees, R. Elmore, A.J. McMechan. 2015. Evaluating corn performance based on injury following a major hail event. Agronomy Society of America Meeting.
37. Nguy R., A. Zygelbuam, S. Wegulo, G. Hein, A. J. McMechan. 2014 Developing a framework for a risk map for mite vectored viruses in wheat resulting from pre-harvest hail damage. American Geophysical Union.
38. McMechan A.J. and G. Hein. 2011. Differential transmission of Triticum mosaic virus across wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella K.) colonies collected in the Great Plains. North Central Branch Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society of America. Omaha, Nebraska. June 2011.
39. McMechan A.J. and G. Hein. 2010. Planting dates and variety selection for management of viruses transmitted by the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella K.) North Central Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Louisville, Kentucky

Awards and Honors

Recognition/Awards:

• 2023 - Outstanding Paper Award in Agronomy Journal (Ortez et al. 2022)
• 2023 - Outstanding Paper Award in Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management (Ortez et al. 2022)
• 2022 - Junior Faculty Excellence in Research
• 2022 - Harold & Esther Edgerton Junior Faculty Award
• 2021 - Gamma Sigma Delta: Extension Award of Merit
• 2020 - Epsilon Sigma Phi Early Career Outstanding Extension Leadership Award
• 2020 - Nebraska Extension Research and Discovery Award
• 2020 - FMC Researcher of the Year
• 2019 - Young Alumni Abbey Award: University of Minnesota
• 2019 - Excellence in Extension: Team Award (Soybean Management Field Days)
• 2018 - Excellence in Extension: Team Award (Hail Know)
• 2017 - Nebraska Extension Innovative New Employee
• 2016 - John Henry Comstock Award, Entomology Society of America, North Central Branch
• 2016 - Gamma Sigma Delta: Certificate of Membership for Achievements
• 2015 - Outstanding Poster in Educational Material, Agronomy Society of America
• 2015 - 2nd Place Ph.D. Oral Presentation at ESA North Central Branch, Manhattan, KS
• 2014 - 1st Place Ph.D. Oral Presentation at ESA National Meeting, Portland, OR
• 2014 - 1st Place Ph.D. Oral Presentation at ESA North Central Branch, Des Moines, IA
• 2013 - 1st Place Ph.D. Oral Presentation at ESA National Meeting Austin, TX
• 2012 - 1st Place Ph.D. Oral Presentation at ESA National Meeting Knoxville, TN
• 2011 - 2nd Place M.S. Oral Presentation at ESA North Central Branch
• 2010 - 1st Place M.S. Poster at ESA North Central Branch

Service

• Associate Editor for Crops, Forage & Turfgrass Management
• IANR Greenhouse Committee
• Entomology Graduate Committee
• Crop Production Advisory Clinic Committee
• Soybean Management Field Days Advisory Committee

Other