Location: Pest Management Research
Project Number: 3032-30400-001-007-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2026
End Date: Jul 31, 2027
Objective:
The objective of this collaborative research is to build population models to identify regional crop rotation strategies to control the wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus).
Approach:
The cooperator will develop mathematical models to predict how different pest management strategies (e.g., crop rotation, conservation programs) implemented across the landscape affect regional sawfly pressure. The models will integrate matrix population models calibrated to predict sawfly population size and growth,nwith a lattice model to explore how pest pressure changes as a function of extent of crop monoculture, crop rotation frequency, and the amount of non-host crops and native grass habitats (CRP and rangeland) in the landscape. The data will be critical in guiding area-wide management strategies for sawfly control.