John D. Vandenberg Research Entomologist and Lead Scientist, USDA-ARS-BioIPM, Insect Pathology Program john.vandenberg@ars.usda.gov Adjunct Professor, Department of Entomology Cornell University 607-255-2456 (Voice) 607-255-1132 (Fax)

EDUCATION

1982     1983-87 1987-93 1988-93 1993- 1994-

Post-Doctoral Associate, Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY Research Entomologist, USDA ARS Beneficial Insects Lab., Beltsville, MD Research Leader and Supervisory Research Entomologist, USDA ARS Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory, Logan, UT Adjunct Associate Professor, Dept. Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT Research Entomologist and Lead Scientist, USDA ARS Bio-IPM Research Unit, Ithaca, NY Adjunct Professor, Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

RESEARCH GOALS

The goal of my research is to develop an understanding of insect disease and accomplish effective deployment of fungi for biocontrol of selected insect pests. Specific research areas include biotic and abiotic factors regulating infection, disease development, host specificity and resistance, and factors governing susceptibility to fungal pathogens.  Objectives for the next 5 years are to determine conditions under which insects are susceptible to fungal infection and mechanisms by which they become infected. Objectives for team research include evaluating strains of fungi for control of pests, identifying genetic components of fungal virulence, determining factors influencing fungal spore survival, and optimizing fungal delivery to targets. Results will be used in field trials to determine the best means to incorporate fungi into pest management systems. Target insects include pests of greenhouse, nurseries and field crops and selected invasive pests.

Recent Publications

Castrillo, L. A., Griggs, M. H., and Vandenberg, J. D.  2008.  Quantitative field detection Beauveria bassiana GHA (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), a potential microbial control agent  of the emerald ash borer, by real-time PCR. Biological Control. 45,154-162

Castrillo, L. A., Ugine, T. A., Filotas, M. J., Sanderson, J., Vandenberg, J. D., and Wraight, S. P.  2008.  Molecular characterization and comparative virulence of Beauveria bassiana isolates (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) associated with the greenhouse shore fly, Scatella tenuicosta (Diptera: Ephydridae).  Biological Control. 45, 163-169

Vandenberg, J.D., Shelton, A.M., Wraight, S.P. 2007. Application and Evaluation of Entomopathogens in Crucifers and Cucurbits. In: Lacey, L.A., Kaya, H.K. editors. Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology, 2nd edition. The Netherlands:Springer, Dordrecht. pp. 361-374.

Krasnoff, S.B., Sommers, C.H., Moon, Y., Donzelli, B., Vandenberg, J.D., Churchill, A., Gibson, D.M. 2006. Production of mutagenic metabolites by Metarhizium anisopliae. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 54:7083-7088.

Filotas, M.J., Hajek, A.E., Vandenberg, J.D. 2006. Concentration-response and temperature-related susceptibility of the forest tent caterpillar to the entomopathogenic fungus Furia gastropachae. Biological Control. 39:218-224.

Castrillo, L. A., D. W. Roberts, and J. D. Vandenberg. 2005. The fungal past, present, and future: germination, ramification, and reproduction. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 89: 46-56.

Castrillo, L. A., M. H. Griggs, and J. D. Vandenberg. 2004. Vegetative compatibility groups in indigenous and mass-released strains of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana: Likelihood of recombination in the field. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 86: 26-37.

Vandenberg, J. D., and F. A. Cantone. 2004. Effect of serial transfer on three strains of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus on growth in vitro, virulence, and host specificity. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 85: 40-45.

Castrillo, L. A., Vandenberg, J. D., and Wraight, S. P. 2003. Strain specific detection of introduced Beauveria bassiana in agricultural fields by use of sequence-characterized amplified region markers. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 82: 75-83.

Tamez-Guerra, P., Mcguire, M.R., Becnel, J.J., Behle, R.W., Vandenberg, J.D. . 2002.  Use of microorganisms for biological control of insects (In Spanish). Revista Latino Americana De Microbiologa. 44: 70.

Altre, J. A., and J. D. Vandenberg. 2001. Factors influencing the infectivity of isolates of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus against diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 78: 31-36.

Altre, J. A., and , J. D. Vandenberg. 2001. Penetration of cuticle and proliferation in hemolymph by Paecilomyces fumosoroseus isolates that differ in virulence against lepidopteran larvae. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 78: 81-86.

Altre, J. A. and Vandenberg, J. D. 2001. Comparison of blastospores of two Paecilomyces fumosoroseus isolates: in vitro traits and virulence when injected into lepidopteran and hymenopteran larvae. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 78: 170-175.

Vandenberg, J. D., L. E. Sandvol, S. T. Jaronski, M. A. Jackson, E. J. Souza, and S. Halbert. 2001. Efficacy of fungi for control of Russian wheat aphid in irrigated wheat. Southwestern Entomologist 26: 73-85

Meadow, R., J. D. Vandenberg, and A. M. Shelton. 2000. Exchange of inoculum of Beauveria bassiana (Hyphomycetes) between adult flies of the cabbage maggot, Delia radicum (Diptera: Anthomyiidae). Biocontrol Sci. Technol. 10: 479-485.

Cantone, F. A., and Vandenberg, J. D.  1999.  Use of the green fluorescent protein for investigations of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus in insect hosts.  J. Invertebr. Pathol.  74: 193-197.

Cantone, F. A., and Vandenberg, J. D.  1999.  Genetic transformation and mutagenesis of the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus.  J. Invertebr. Pathol.  74: 281-288.

Altre, J. A., Vandenberg, J. D., and Cantone, F. A.  1999.  Pathogenicity of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus isolates to diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella: correlation with spore size, germination spped and attachment to cuticle.  J. Invertebr. Pathol.  73: 332-338.

Vandenberg, J. D., Shelton, A. M., Ramos, M., and Wilsey, W. T.  1998.  Assessment of Beauveria bassiana sprays for control of diamondback moth on crucifers.  J. Econ. Entomol.  91: 624-630.

Vandenberg, J. D., Ramos, M., and Altre, J. A.  1998.  Dose-response and age- and temperature-related susceptibility of the diamondback moth to two isolates of Beauveria bassiana.  Environ. Entomol.  27: 1017-1021.