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

Louisiana NRCS State Office
3737 Government St.
Alexandria, LA

November 15th, 2017
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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

Register Now!

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 Xerces Society's Nancy Lee Adamson, Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, and guest speakers as they overview 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 (5.5 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 & summary of conservation biocontrol case studies

Module 2 - Common Beneficial Insect Groups

• Introduction to beneficial insects and the ecological services they provide
• Summary of beneficial insect biology and habitat needs
• Profiles of common predators and parasitoids and the insect pests they attack

Module 3 - Conservation Biocontrol Research in Louisiana

• Overview of current issues and conservation biological control research in Louisiana
• Farm case studies; Highlights of agricultural, ecological, and forest related issues

Module 4 - 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 5 USDA Farm Bill Programs Supporting Beneficial Insects & Other Wildlife in Louisiana

• USDA Conservation Programs and Practices supporting pollinators, other beneficial insects, and & other wildlife in Louisiana

Module 6 - Farm Practices for Beneficial Insects

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

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)

Additional Resources and Wrap-Up

• Questions & Evaluations
• Raffle

INSTRUCTOR

Nancy Lee Adamson - Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, the Xerces Society and USDA-NRCS
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

Sebe Brown - Entomologist, Louisiana State University Ag Center Extension
Sebe is an extension entomologist with 100 percent extension responsibilities in entomology for field crops in Louisiana. He is stationed at the Macon Ridge Research Station in Winnsboro, LA, and the Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph, LA. Sebe specializes in integrated pest management of economically important insects in row crops. He received his Ph.D. from LSU and has been in his current position for five years.

Troy Mallach - Louisiana State Wildlife Biologist, NRCS
Troy has over 15 years of experience implementing, evaluating, and planning coastal restoration projects. Troy also worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service developing habitat management with private landowners for threatened and endangered species. He currently serves as the Secretary for the Louisiana Professional Biologist Association and received a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Troy is also a Veteran of the U.S. Army and served nine years with the Louisiana Army National Guard.

Brian Strom - Research Entomologist, USFS Southern Research Station
Brian is part of the Insects, Diseases, and Invasive Plants Research Work Unit. Brian has worked with the Forest Service since earning his Ph.D. in entomology from LSU. He conducts research on insect-plant interactions to support forest management, with current projects on pine beetles, chemical and visual cues, and tree protectants.

Register Now!