Dr. W. Joe Lewis Audio: A Systems Approach to Beneficial Plant-Insect Communications

Dr. W. Joe Lewis

Recorded live at the 2021 Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show in Covington, Kentucky, Dec. 6-9, 2021. 

Cotton plants attacked by bollworm/budworm caterpillars, which in turn are attacked by beneficial parasitic wasps, have served as models for our studies. An array of remarkable mechanisms, such as chemical signaling, learning and other elegant processes were found to govern these interactions and will be described. Truly satisfactory solutions to pest problems will require understanding and promoting naturally occurring biological agents and other inherent strengths as components of total agricultural ecosystems. Such pest management strategies should always start with the question ‘‘Why is the pest a pest?’’ and address underlying weaknesses that have allowed organisms to reach pest status. These principles along with demonstrations with cooperative growers will be discussed.

Audio • 51 minutes • Downloadable MP3 file after checkout