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

George Washington Carver Farm
Lincoln University
3804 Bald Hill Road, Jefferson City, MO
Thursday, November 2nd, 2017
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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

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 Jennifer Hopwood, 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

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 -  Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects

Lunch - Please bring a sack lunch! 

Module 4 - Beneficial Insect Habitat Assessment and Scouting Tool

Module 5 - Designing and Restoring Habitat for Beneficial Insects

Guest Speaker -  Dr. Jaime Piñero, Lincoln University

Guest Speaker (NRCS) - TBD

• USDA programs and practices for pollinator conservation

Module 6 – Additional resources, farm tour (depending on weather), course evaluations and Q&A
 

INSTRUCTORS

Jennifer Hopwood - Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Xerces Society
Jennifer provides resources and training for beneficial insect habitat management and restoration. Jennifer is an author of a number of publications and articles, and has experience in invertebrate field and laboratory research, identification, education, and outreach. Jennifer has degrees in ecology and entomology from the University of Kansas, and holds an adjunct position with Michigan State University's Kellogg Biological Station.

GUEST SPEAKER

Jaime C. Piñero Ph.D. - Associate Professor / State IPM Specialist, Lincoln University
After earning his Ph.D. in 2005 under the supervision of the late Dr. Ronald Prokopy, a world expert in insect behavior and pioneer of apple insect pest management in the U.S.A., Dr. Pinero conducted a post-doctoral stay at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland. Dr. Pinero then worked as a Research Associate for the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii. Dr. Pinero has received several national and international awards and served as peer reviewer for 16 scientific journals and in review panels for grant proposals submitted to the USDA NIFA, the USDA SARE, the United States – Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund and National Center of Science and Technology Evaluation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. His publications include 42 peer-reviewed articles, 22 grower oriented articles and 4 book chapters.