Farming With Beneficial Insects
for Pest Control:
Conservation Biological Control Short Course

Quiet Dell United Methodist Church
Mt. Clare, WV
Wednesday, October 25th, 2017
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Learn a science-based strategy that seeks to integrate beneficial insects for natural pest control!

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Learn about supporting beneficial insects that provide pest control in this full-day short course. Conservation biological control is a science-based pest management strategy that seeks to integrate beneficial insects back into cropping systems for natural pest control, ultimately reducing and in some cases eliminating the need for pesticides. Join Nancy Lee Adamson, Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist at the Xerces Society, as she overviews conservation biological control and beneficial predators and parasitoids that attack insect pests. Participants will learn how common farm practices can impact beneficial insects and how to assess and create farm habitat for beneficial insects.

In response to growing interest in promoting beneficial insects for their pest control services on farms, the Xerces Society has authored the book Farming With Native Beneficial Insects and developed the Conservation Biological Control Short Course to educate farmers, agriculture employees, natural resource specialists, land managers, and conservation organization staff.

SHORT COURSE TRAINING SKILLS AND OBJECTIVES

This workshop will cover: 

• The importance of beneficial insects - predators and parasitoids that attack insect pests.
• Overview of conservation biological control and integrated pest management (IPM).
• Become familiar with the most common beneficial insect groups.
• How to recognize the habitat needs of beneficial insects and identify habitat deficiencies.
• The design and implementation of habitat improvements, including site preparation, insectary strip plantings, hedgerows, beetle banks, and more.
• The current best management practices that minimize land-use impacts on beneficial insects and mitigate exposure to insecticides.
• How to access USDA conservation programs for financial and technical support.

Participants will receive the Xerces Society's Conservation Biological Control Toolkit which includes habitat installation guidelines and other relevant publications, and the Xerces' book, Farming with Native Beneficial Insects.

 *Continuing Education Credits Available*

• Certified Crop Advisor (6 CEUs) 
• Society of American Foresters (5 CFE credits)
• The Wildlife Society (5.5 contact hours)   

COURSE AGENDA

Welcome and Announcements 

Module 1 - Farming with Beneficial Insects: Conservation Biological Control (CBC)

• Overview of conservation biological control and integrated pest management
• Status of beneficial insect conservation

Module 2 - Common Beneficial Insect Groups

• Introduction to beneficial insects and the ecological services they provide
• Overview of beneficial insect groups (predators and parasitoids)
• Summary of beneficial insect biology and habitat needs

Module 3 - Conservation Biological Control in West Virginia

• Overview of common farm practices and their impact on conservation biocontrol
• Mitigating potential negative impacts of farm practices on beneficial insects

 Module 4 -  Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects

• Supporting beneficial insects with farm practices
• Preventing potential negative impacts of conventional and organic-approved pesticides on beneficial 
  insects (e.g. exposure pathways, toxicity, residual activity)
• Mitigating pesticide risks to beneficial insects and other natural resources using IPM, PAMS, and 
  conservation practices (e.g. alternatives to pesticides, pesticide drift reduction, buffer practices)
• Protecting overwintering and nesting sites

Module 5 - Assessing Baseline Farm Conditions for Beneficial Insects

• Overview of habitat diversity values
• Introduction to the Beneficial Insect Habitat Assessment Guide to Inform CBC Planning

Module 6 - USDA Farm Bill Programs to Support Beneficial Insects and Other Wildlife in West Virginia

 

• USDA Conservation Programs and Practices supporting pollinators, other beneficial insects, and wildlife conservation

Module 7 - Designing and Restoring Habitat for Beneficial Insects

• Conservation practices that support beneficial insects (beetle banks, buffers, windbreaks, cover crops, field borders, hedgerows, insectary strips, wildflower meadows, and more)
• Habitat conservation methods (site preparation, propagation, and maintenance)
• Farm case studies
  

Module 8 – Q&A, additional resources, and course evaluations 
 

INSTRUCTOR

Nancy Lee Adamson – Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, The Xerces Society
Nancy Lee Adamson, Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, East Region, Xerces Society and USDA NRCS, East National Technology Support Center, Greensboro, NC. Nancy supports pollinator and other agriculturally beneficial insect conservation with Farm Bill Programs. She teaches about native bees, other wildlife, and native plants that are vital to our natural and cultivated landscapes. Nancy received her Ph.D. in entomology from Virginia Tech where she studied native bee crop pollinators. 

GUEST SPEAKERS

Jason Bladow - West Virginia NRCS State Biologist
Jason attended the Florida State University, graduating with a Masters of Science in biology focused on the ecology and conservation of endangered species. Before coming to West Virginia, Jason worked for the NRCS in Alaska as a Biological Science Technician and in Minnesota as a Wetland Biologist and Area Biologist.

Daniel L. Frank - Entomology Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor, West Virginia University
Daniel received his Ph.D. in entomology from Virginia Tech. Daniel’s expertise includes integrated pest management and plant-insect interactions. He conducts applied research and provides leadership for developing, implementing, and evaluating statewide educational/ informational programs in entomology that include pest identification, integrated pest management, pesticide safety and education, and arthropod management and control programs. In addition, he teaches several classes within WVU’s Division of Plant and Soil Sciences.

Register Now!