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Louisiana’s agricultural and natural resources continue to be under attack from a wide variety of invasive species. Some are new to the state, while others have been here for a long time. This issue of Louisiana Agriculture highlights the broad range of research activities being conducted by LSU AgCenter scientists to understand how invasive species survive and thrive and to identify effective means of controlling or limiting their damage in the state.
Louisiana Agriculture Magazine Winter 2022
LSU AgCenter Research is critical in combating the effects of invasive species
Michael E. Salassi
LSU AgCenter scientists conduct research to identify effective means of controlling or limiting the damage from invasive species in Louisiana agriculture.
Solving a Giant Problem with a Tiny Solution: The Salvinia Weevil
Korey Pham, Christopher Mudge, Hannah Laville and Rodrigo Diaz
Researchers are developing the best ways to make use of the salvinia weevil’s ability to destroy the giant salvinia plant clogging Louisiana waterways.
Invading Insects Impact Louisiana Soybean
Jeffrey A. Davis
The redbanded stink bug is the primary insect threat to Louisiana soybeans. Others are the kudzu bug and the brown marmorated stink bug.
Managing Soybean Rust in Louisiana
Trey Price, David Moseley, Guy B. Padgett and Zhi-Yuan Chen
Soybean rust continues to be a threat to soybean production in Louisiana since its discovery in this country in 2004 and must be managed.
Building a Framework for Managing an Emerging Fungal Disease of Soybean
Vinson P. Doyle, Teddy Garcia-Aroca, Trey Price and José E. Solórzano
Emerging fungal diseases of crops represent a major global biosecurity threat, and researchers are working to prevent these diseases in Louisiana.
Federal and State Agencies Help Protect Local Industries from Unwanted Pests and Diseases
Kenneth Gravois
Plants and animals coming into Louisiana from other states or countries are regulated to help deter the spread of invasive species.
White Spot Syndrome Virus in Louisiana Crawfish
Greg Lutz
LSU AgCenter and LSU School of Veterinary Medicine researchers are trying to determine crawfish susceptibility to white spot syndrome.
An Army on the Move: Farmers, Entomologists Battle Fall Armyworm in 2021
Tyler Towles, Blake Wilson, Michael Stout and Fangneng Huang
The 2021 crop growing season presented many challenges for Louisiana producers, but none as remarkable as the fall armyworm.
Mitigating the Impact of Invasive Apple Snails in Rice and Crawfish Production Systems
Julian M. Lucero and Blake E. Wilson
Within the past decade, the apple snail has established itself in Louisiana but has only recently begun infesting rice farms in the southwestern region.
Proactive Research to Mitigate the Impact of the Invasive Mexican Rice Borer
James M. Villegas and Blake E. Wilson
The invasive Mexican rice borer has become increasingly problematic in Louisiana in recent years and threatens both rice and sugarcane.
Understanding Foraging Behavior of the Formosan Subterranean Termite
Arjun Khadka, Steven Richardson and Qian “Karen” Sun
In looking for new ways to control termites, scientists are studying how environmental factors (humidity, moisture, food availability) affect termite survival.
Dynamics of Gut Symbionts in Termite Kings and Queens During Early Colony Development
Junyan Chen, Garima Setia, Qian Sun and Claudia Husseneder
LSU AgCenter researchers are studying the digestive process of the Formosan subterranean termite to determine a new way to control this invasive species.
Lethal Bait May Lead to Solution of Louisiana’s Feral Pig Problem
Kyle Peveto
A lethal pig bait designed by LSU AgCenter researchers and LSU chemists could be one answer to the proliferation of feral pigs in Louisiana.
New and Reemerging Threats to Louisiana Sweet Potato Production
Tristan Watson, Josielle Rezende and Christopher Clark
The LSU AgCenter is part of a national effort to prevent the spread of diseases caused by nematodes and fungi that affect sweet potatoes.
Emerging Disease Issues in Cotton
Trey Price, Tyler Towles, Karla Emfinger, Myra Purvis, Dustin Ezell and Wade Walker
LSU AgCenter scientists are trying to prevent the spread of a couple of diseases of cotton, cotton leafroll dwarf virus and target spot.
Roseau Cane Scale: How Insect Research Can Help the Sustainability of the Mississippi River Delta
Rodrigo Diaz
LSU AgCenter scientists are studying ways to control the spread of the roseau cane scale that is killing the tall roseau cane plants that guard the Louisiana coast line.
Managing Crapemyrtle Bark Scale: Are We Winning the Fight?
Yan Chen and Rodrigo Diaz
Researchers are trying to prevent the spread of crapemyrtle bark scale before it devastates the beloved crapemyrtle tree.
Weeds: A Major Threat to Louisiana Agriculture
Lauren Lazaro, Donnie Miller, Christopher Mudge, Albert Orgeron, Daniel Stephenson and Ronald Strahan
Weeds are the largest economic threat to Louisiana agriculture as a whole, whether in row crops, aquatics, rangelands or pastures.
Invasive Plant Diseases Threatening Louisiana Specialty Crops
Raj Singh
Among the most important invasive plant diseases threatening Louisiana specialty crops are boxwood dieback, citrus canker and palm phytoplasmas.
New Faculty Profile: Tristan Watson finds niche with nematodes
Tobie Blanchard
Assistant professor Tristan Watson’s research focuses on nematodes, microscopic roundworms, that can be detrimental to crops.
College of Agriculture News for Winter 2022
Annabelle Lang
College honors outstanding faculty and alumni for 2021; Four students selected for conservation program; Ringelman awarded Ducks Unlimited endowed professorship
LSU AgCenter News for Winter 2022
Linda Foster Benedict
Break Up with Salt program saves lives; New low-glycemic rice helps diabetics; $5 million grant for sweet potato research; Annual awards presented to outstanding faculty and staff
