Blake Wilson

Title Associate Professor
Department Entomology Department
E-mail BWilson@agcenter.lsu.edu
Address 1 1373 Caffey Road
Rayne, LA 70578
Phone 337-788-7531
Fax 337-788-7553

  • Early Career Professional National Extension Award, Entomological Society of America, 2021
  • John H. Comstock Graduate Student Award, Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Entomological Society of America 2016.
  • Kirby L. Hays Memorial Award, Outstanding M.S. Student, Entomological Society of America 2012.

Total funding received: $2.04 million

Total funding solicited as lead PI: $3.4 million

Competitive/Misc. external funding obtained ($1,366,202 total; 709,751 as lead PI).

  • USDA AFRI, Foundational and Applied Sciences, 2022–2026. Population genetics and adaptive change in gradual and rapid range expansion of an invasive insect herbivore. B.E. Wilson lead-PI, (Husseneder, Diaz, Stout and Beuzelin Co-PIs) $612,852 (funded).
  • Louisiana Board of Regents. 2020. Capacity building of the LSU AgCenter Sugar Research Station Sucrose Laboratory through acquisition of state-of-the-art NIR equipment. C. Kimbeng lead PI, (B.E. Wilson Co-PI). $200,000 (funded, 2020–2021).
  • Bayer Crop Science. 2019. Conducting F2 screen to determine the resistance allele frequency in field populations of southwestern corn borer and sugarcane borer in the U.S. to Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 proteins expressed in MON 89034 corn. F. Huang lead P.I. (B.E. Wilson, Co-PI). $106,303 (funded, 2019–2021).
  • USDA Agricultural Research Service. 2019. Efficacy of insecticides for sugarcane pests. $96,899, B.E. Wilson lead PI, (funded, 2019–2024).
  • USDA Methyl Bromide Transition, 2017. Change of PI ($7,000).
  • Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority et al., 2017–2019. Roseau cane scale. R. Diaz lead PI (Wilson Co-PI), $350,000 (funded).

Commodity group support ($654,106 received as of December 2021)

  • Louisiana Rice Research Board. 2021. Integrated management of rice insects. $72,000.
  • American Sugar Cane League. 2021. Integrated management of sugarcane insects. $25,000.
  • Louisiana Rice Research Board. 2021. Integrated management of rice insects. $112,100.
  • American Sugar Cane League. 2020. Integrated management of sugarcane insects. $25,000.
  • Louisiana Rice Research Board. 2020. Integrated management of rice insects. $112,100.
  • Louisiana Rice Research Board, 2019. Integrated management of rice insects. $103,906.
  • Louisiana Rice Research Board, 2019. Development of best management practices for stored rice insects. $38,000.
  • American Sugarcane League, 2019. Integrated management of sugarcane insects. $25,000.
  • American Sugar Cane League, 2018. Integrated management of sugarcane insects. $20,000.
  • Louisiana Rice Research Board, 2018. Integrated management of rice insects. $109,000.
  • American Sugar Cane League, 2017. Integrated management of sugarcane insects. $12,000.

Private industry support ($162.500 received as of December 2021)

Integrated pest management of sugarcane and rice insects – Research aims to developed sustainable, ecology-based pest management strategies that improve production of two of Louisiana’s most valuable agricultural commodities. Research examines host plant resistance, sampling and economic thresholds, chemical control, cultural control, and biological control of a diverse array of insect pests of sugarcane, rice, and other field crops.

Invasive species biology and monitoring – Research examines ecological factors driving invasions of non-native pests including the Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini. Studies seek to identify landscape factors influencing range expansion and trends in population genetics during an on-going biological invasion. Additional studies are examining ecology of invasive apple snails, Pomacea maculata, into rice and crawfish agroecosystems.

LSU Agricultural Center, Assistant Professor of Entomology 03/2017–Present

  • Split extension (60%) and research (40%) appointment with field crops entomology responsibility with emphasis on sugarcane and rice pest management. I also hold a 20% appointment with the Department of Entomology and serve as a member of the graduate faculty of LSU.

LSU Entomology Department: Post-doctoral Researcher, Rice and Sugarcane Lab 06/2016–2/2017

LSU Agricultural Center: IPM Technician, Greenhouse Services 02/2015–02/2017

LSU Entomology Department: Research Associate, Rice and Sugarcane Lab 06/2011–6/2016

LSU Entomology Department: Graduate Assistant, Rice and Sugarcane Lab 08/2009–06/2011

  • Entomological Society of America, (2009–Present)
  • American Society of Sugarcane Technologists (2013–Present)
  • Rice Technical Working Group (2017–Present)
  • International Society of Sugarcane Technologists (2018–Present)

Peer-reviewed publications (47 total, 30 as first or corresponding author):

*Student author advised by B.E. Wilson (corresponding author)

Lucero, J.M. and B.E. Wilson. 2022. Regional expansion and chemical control for invasive apple snails (Pomacea maculata) in Louisiana rice and crawfish production systems. Crop Prot. (accepted, in press).*Doherty, E.M., Q. Sun, and B.E. Wilson. 2022. Stored rice varietal resistance and associational susceptibility towards Sitophilus oryzae. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (accepted, in press).

*Salgado, L., B.E. Wilson, H. Penn, R.T. Richard, and M.O. Way. 2022. Characterization of resistance to the Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) among sugarcane cultivars. Insects 13(10): 890.

*Kang, I, B.E. Wilson, B. Carter, and R. Diaz. 2022. A new detection of the invasive Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) from Georgia in the United States based on morphological and molecular data. J. Integ. Pest Manag. 13(1): 17.

Wilson, B.E., J.M. Villegas, and M.J. Stout. 2022. Economic returns on insecticidal seed treatment combinations in rice. Crop Prot. (submitted, in review).

Pontif, M., C. Kimbeng, K. Bischoff, K. Gravois, C. LaBoard, G. Hawkins, D. Sexton, J. Hoy, N. Baisakh, B.E. Wilson, A. Orgeron, J. Todd, and H. Waguespack. 2022. Registration of ‘L 12-201’ sugarcane. J. Plant Reg. (accepted, in press).

Todd, J.R., A.L. Hale, Y.-B. Pan, T.L. Tew, W.H. White, E.O. Dufrene, M.J. Duet, D.L. Verdun, D.J. Spaunhorst, C.D. Dalley, M.P. Grisham, B.E. Wilson , K.A. Gravois, and W.R. Jackson. 2022. Registration ‘Ho 05-961’ sugarcane. J. Plant Reg. (accepted, in press).

*Mulcahy, M.M., B.E. Wilson, and T.E. Reagan. 2022. Spatial distribution of stem borers in Louisiana rice fields. Environ. Entomol. (accepted, in press).

*Mulcahy, M.M., B.E. Wilson, M.J. Stout, and T.E. Reagan. 2021. Spatial distribution of the rice water weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Louisiana rice fields. https://academic.oup.com/ee/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ee/nvab120/6433307?login=true#

Wilson, B.E., L.D. Salgado, and J.M. Villegas. 2022. Optimizing chemical controls of Diatraea saccharalis in sugarcane. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261219421003136?dgcid=coauthor

*Salgado, L., B.E. Wilson, and J.M. Villegas. 2021. Resistance to the sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) among Louisiana sugarcane cultivars.https://academic.oup.com/ee/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ee/nvab118/6419899?login=true

*Villegas, J.M., Wilson, B.E., and M.J. Stout. 2021. Integration of cultural controls and plant tolerance for control of a complex of rice pests. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fagro...

*Villegas, J.M., B.E. Wilson, and M.O. Way. 2021. Management of stemborers (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) using foliar-applied chlorantraniliprole in rice. Fla. Entomol. (accepted, in press).

Pontif, M., C. Kimbeng, K. Bischoff, K. Gravois, C. LaBoard, G. Hawkins, D. Sexton, J. Hoy, N. Baisakh, B.E. Wilson, A. Orgeron, J. Todd, and H. Waguespack. 2021. Registration of ‘L 11-183’ sugarcane. https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/plr2.20136

Orgeron, A.J., M.W. Cater, K.A. Gravois, B.E. Wilson, M.A. Deliberto, and M.E. Salassi. 2021. Sugarcane production school established for the Louisiana sugar industry. J. Nat. Assoc. County Ag. Agents 14: JID-1198. https://www.nacaa.com/journal/ab01393e-74b0-4383-8154-f2ada52db596

Wilson, B.E., J.M. Villegas, M.J. Stout, and K.J. Landry. 2021. Relative yield loss from rice stem borers (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and the rice water weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/114/3/1159/6209425?login=true

Bahvanam, S.,B.E. Wilson, B. Blackman, and M.J. Stout. 2021. Biology and management of the rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax. https://academic.oup.com/jipm/article/12/1/20/6272387?guestAccessKey=d967c609-ece1-4077-9d46-51f9a6ea329f

*Villegas, J.M., B.E. Wilson, and M.J. Stout. 2021. Assessment of tolerance and resistance of inbred rice cultivars to combined infestations of rice water weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and stemborers (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). *Selected as Editor’s Choice https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eea.13054

Wilson, B.E., W.H. White, R.T. Richard, and R.M. Johnson. 2021. Evaluation of sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis, resistance among commercial and experimental cultivars in the Louisiana sugarcane cultivar development program. https://internationalsugarjournal.com/paper/evaluation-of-sugarcane-borer-diatraea-saccharalis-resistance-among-commercial-and-experimental-cultivars-in-the-louisiana-sugarcane-cultivar-development-program/

Yang, Y., F.P.F. Reay-Jones, L.T. Wilson, T.E. Reagan, J.M. Beuzelin, B.E. Wilson, J.A. Davis, and J. Wang. 2021. Sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari) population characteristics and distribution patterns in relation to sample unit size.https://academic.oup.com/ee/article/50/2/489/6092749

Wilson, B.E. 2021. Successful integrated pest management minimizes impact of Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on the Louisiana sugarcane industry. https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/114/1/468/6008129?login=true

Wilson, B.E., J.M. Villegas, M.O. Way, R.A. Pearson, and M.J. Stout. 2021. Cyantraniliprole: A new insecticidal seed treatment for U.S. rice. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261219420303434

*Villegas, J.M., B.E. Wilson, M.O. Way, J. Gore, and M.J. Stout. 2021. Tolerance to root injury by rice water weevil among hybrid and conventional rice cultivars.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026121942030301X

Wilson, B.E., W.H. White, R.T. Richard, and R.M. Johnson. 2020. Population trends of the sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Louisiana sugarcane. https://academic.oup.com/ee/article/49/6/1455/5947505?guestAccessKey=6d7e4574-bf2c-4130-9d0c-cf5768e22d8f

Knight, I.A., J.T. Cronin, M. Gill, J.A. Nyman, B.E. Wilson, and R. Diaz. 2020. Investigating plant phenotype, salinity, and infestation by the roseau cane scale as factors in the die-back of Phragmites australis in the Mississippi River Delta, USA. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13157-020-01307-3

Wilson, B.E., F.P.F. Reay-Jones, L. Lama, M.M. Mulcahy, T.E. Reagan, J.A. Davis, Y. Yang, and L.T. Wilson. 2020. Influence of sorghum cultivar, nitrogen fertilization, and insecticides on infestations of the sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari) in the Southern United States. https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/113/4/1850/5855080?login=true

Wilson, B.E., and M.J. Stout. 2020. Reexamination of the influence of Oebalus pugnax (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) infestations on rice yield and quality. https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/113/3/1248/5818255

Wilson, B.E., J.M. Beuzelin, R.T. Richard, R.M. Johnson, K.A. Gravois, and W.H. White. 2020. West Indian canefly (Hemiptera: Delphacidae): An emerging pest to Louisiana sugarcane.https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/113/1/263/5637468?login=true

Wilson, B.E., 2019. Hemipteran pests of sugarcane in North America. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/10/4/107

*Villegas, J.M., B.E. Wilson, and M.J. Stout. 2019. Efficacy of reduced rates of insecticidal seed treatment on insect pests in irrigated drill-seeded rice. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ps.5437

*Lama, L., B.E. Wilson, J.A. Davis, and T.E. Reagan. 2019. Influence of sorghum cultivar, phenology, and fertilization on development and reproduction of the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari. https://bioone.org/journals/Florida-Entomologist/volume-102/issue-1/024.102.0131/Influence-of-Sorghum-Cultivar-Phenological-Stage-and-Fertilization-on-Development/10.1653/024.102.0131.full

Wilson, B.E., M.T. VanWeelden, J.M. Beuzelin, and T.E. Reagan. 2018. Susceptibility and yield response to sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) infestation among sugarcanes and sorghums with potential for bioethanol production. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261219418301923

Knight, I.A., B.E. Wilson, M. Gill, L. Aveles, J.T. Cronin, S.A. Schneider, and R. Diaz. 2018. Invasion of Nipponaclerda biwakoensis (Hemiptera: Aclerdidae) and Phragmites australis die-back in southern Louisiana, U.S.A. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-018-1749-5

Wilson, B.E., M.T. VanWeelden, J.M. Beuzelin, and T.E. Reagan. 2017. Efficacy of insect growth regulators and diamide insecticides for control of stem borers (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in sugarcane. https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/110/2/453/3041104?login=true

Wilson, B.E., J.M. Beuzelin, T.E. Reagan, M.T. VanWeelden, and M.O. Way. 2017. Monitoring Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) populations in sugarcane and rice with conventional and electronic pheromone traps. https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/110/1/150/2804964?login=true

Wilson, B.E., J.M. Beuzelin, and T.E. Reagan. 2017. Population distribution and range expansion of the invasive Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Louisiana. https://academic.oup.com/ee/article/46/2/175/3059828?login=true

VanWeelden, M.T., B.E. Wilson, J.M. Beuzelin, T.E. Reagan, and M.O. Way. 2017. Oviposition preference and survival of the Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in bioenergy and conventional sugarcane and sorghum. https://academic.oup.com/ee/article/46/4/855/3865383?login=true

Bernaola, L., N. Delisi, E.C. Kraus, Z. Wang, and B.E. Wilson. 2017. 2015 Student Debates: If we can eradicate a species, should we? Yes. *All authors contributed equally. https://academic.oup.com/ae/article/63/2/114/3867367

Wilson, B.E., J.M. Beuzelin, J.D. Allison, and T.E. Reagan. 2016. The active space of Mexican rice borer pheromone traps. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10886-016-0767-y

Wang, Z., L. Moshman, E.C. Kraus, B.E. Wilson, and R. Diaz. 2016. A review of the tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva, an emergent ant invader in southern United States: Is biological control a feasible management option? *All authors contributed equally. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/7/4/77

VanWeelden, M.T., B.E. Wilson, J.M. Beuzelin, T.E. Reagan, and M.O. Way. 2016. Impact of nitrogen fertilization on Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) injury in bioenergy sorghum. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261219416300229

Beuzelin, J.M., B.E. Wilson, M.T. VanWeelden, A. Mészáros, M.O. Way, M.J. Stout, and T.E. Reagan. 2016. Biology and management of the Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in rice. https://academic.oup.com/jipm/article/7/1/7/2658139

Wilson, B.E., T. Hardy, J.M. Beuzelin, M.T. VanWeelden, T.E. Reagan, R. Miller, J. Meaux, M.J. Stout, and C.E. Carlton. 2015. Expansion of the Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) into rice and sugarcane in Louisiana.https://academic.oup.com/ee/article/44/3/757/2464689?login=true

Wilson, B.E., M.T. VanWeelden, J.M. Beuzelin, T.E. Reagan, M.O. Way, W.H. White, L.T. Wilson, and A.T. Showler. 2015. A relative resistance ratio for evaluation of Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) susceptibility among sugarcane cultivars. https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/108/3/1363/2379906?login=true

VanWeelden, M.T., B.E. Wilson, J.M. Beuzelin, T.E. Reagan, and M.O. Way. 2015. Yield response to Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) injury in bioenergy and conventional sugarcane and sorghum.https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/108/5/2296/2379591?login=true

Mercer, N., B. Owens, M.T. VanWeelden, and B.E. Wilson. 2015. 2013 ESA Student Debates: Scientific Issues that Arise from a Connected World: Pro Team: “The use of citizen scientists has both costs and benefits.” https://academic.oup.com/ae/article/61/3/151/2194523

Beuzelin, J.M., L.T. Wilson, A.T. Showler, A. Mészáros, B.E. Wilson, M.O. Way, T.E. Reagan. 2013. Oviposition and larval development of a stem borer, Eoreuma loftini, on rice and non-crop grasses. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/eea.12031

Wilson, B.E., A.T. Showler, J.M. Beuzelin, and T.E. Reagan. 2012. Improved chemical control for the Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in sugarcane: Larval exposure, a novel scouting method, and efficacy of a single aerial insecticide application. https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/105/6/1998/794255

Parys, K.A., J. Gordon, S. Brown, and B.E. Wilson. 2012. Increasing natural enemy diversity among arthropods is compatible with the goals of biological control and IPM: Pro position. *All authors contributed equally. https://academic.oup.com/ae/article/58/2/94/2389765

Showler, A.T., B.E. Wilson, and T.E. Reagan. 2012. Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) injury to corn greater than to sorghum and sugarcane under field conditions. https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/105/5/1597/825889

Extension publications (64 total, selected below)

Wilson, B.E., M.M. Mulcahy, F. Huval, and T.E. Reagan. 2020. Saccharosydne saccharivora, the West Indian canefly (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). Bug Biz factsheet, LSU AgCenter Pub. 3732. Brown, S. and B.E. Wilson. 2020. Rice bill bug factsheet. LSU AgCenter Pub3720. Wilson, B.E. 2020. Combatting invasive insects in sugarcane and rice. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/bneely/articles/page1590007205535

Brown, S. and B.E. Wilson. 2020. Rice bill bug factsheet. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/aiverson/articles/page1581978284840

Wilson, B.E. 2020. Combatting invasive insects in sugarcane and rice.https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/lbenedict/articles/page1589985557061

Wilson, B.E., J. Lucero, and M. Shirley. 2020. Invasive apple snails threatening rice and crawfish production in southwest Louisiana. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/lbenedict/articles/page1589985557061

Wilson, B.E., J.M. Villegas, and E. Kraus. 2019. Insect pests drive regional differences in rice seed treatment use. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/lbenedict/articles/page1553277816518

Wilson, B.E., M. Gill, I. Knight, R. Diaz, A. Nyman, and J. Cronin. 2018. Roseau cane die-offs threaten Louisiana coast. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/lbenedict/articles/page1544476198066

Wilson, B.E., 2018. Wireworms as pests of sugarcane. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/articles/page1543421005880

Wilson, B.E., R. Johnson, and R.T. Richard. 2018. Sugarcane borer management guide for sugarcane varieties. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/aiverson/articles/page1575497842142

Wilson, B.E. 2018. Yellow sugarcane aphid, Sipha flava: A pest of sugarcane in Louisiana. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/system/4/1/6/6/41668614fa40d0d5e6b2653a39d1c815/p3630_sugarcanefactsheet_new_rch0618bwilsonpdf.pdf

Wilson, B.E. 2018. Cool spring causes yellow sugarcane aphid outbreak. The Sugar Bull. 96 (6): 19–20.

Wilson, B.E. 2018. Managing insects doesn’t stop at harvest for Louisiana rice farmers. Louisiana Farm and Ranch Sept. 2018: 5.

Wilson, B.E. 2018. Spring insect outlook: How will hard freezes affect pests? Rice Research Station News 15(1): 3.

Wilson, B.E. 2017. Pests of stored rice. Rice Research Station News. 14(4): 4.

Wilson, B.E. and M.J. Stout. 2017. Choosing the right insecticidal seed treatment. Louisiana Rice Notes, 2017(2): 5–7.

Wilson, B.E., J.M. Beuzelin, M.J. Stout, and T.E. Reagan. 2016. Mexican rice borer continues spread in Louisiana. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/lbenedict/articles/page1461783565740

Wilson, B.E., L. Bernaola, E. Kraus, and J. Villegas. 2015. Mexican rice borer update. Rice Research Station News. 12 (4): 1–2.

Wilson, B.E. and R. Diaz. 2015. The assassin in the garden: Why this threatening looking insect predator is good to have around. https://www.lsu.edu/entomology/docs/assassininthegarden.pdf

Reagan, T.E., L.T. Wilson, J.M. Beuzelin, M.O. Way, J. Hoy, Y. Yang, A.T. Showler, M.T. VanWeelden, and B.E. Wilson. 2015. Insect pests and diseases in bioenergy crops. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/communications/publications/agmag/archive/2015/spring/insect-pests-and-diseases-in-bioenergy-crops

Reagan, T.E., J.M. Beuzelin, B.E. Wilson, A.T. Showler, and M.O. Way. 2011. Advanced management research and the Mexican rice borer. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/communications/publications/agmag/archive/2010/fall/advanced-management-research-and-the-mexican-rice-borer

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

Top