Dr. Rufus Isaacs

Professor University of London, Imperial College at Silwood Park (1994) isaacsr@msu.edu 202B CIPS Phone (517) 355-6619 Fax (517) 353-5598 Specialty Small Fruit Entomologist

Recommended links
Small Fruit Entomology Lab
Ecology, Evolutionary Biology & Behavior Program
MSU Grape Extension Website
MSU Blueberry Extension Website

My program explores the insect ecology and behavior to develop insect management practices for sustainable crop production, with a focus in berry crop systems including grape and blueberry. Pest management challenges are addressed by testing new reduced-risk insecticides, developing new pest control tools and tactics, and integrating them into established IPM programs. This is coupled with longer-term studies to understand the ecology and behavior of arthropod pests and their natural enemies. We also focus on crop pollination, with emphasis on the biology and conservation of native bees. Our findings are extended to small fruit industries and the public by talks, publications, and through on-farm evaluation and demonstration trials providing real-world experience with new practices.

Recent research publications
Garibaldi, L.A., Steffan-Dewenter, I, Kremen, C., Morales J.M., Bommarco R., Cunningham S., Carvalheiro L., Chacoff N., Dudenhöffer J.-H., Greenleaf S., Holzschuh A., Isaacs R., Krewenka K., Mandelik Y., Mayfield M., Morandin L., Potts S., Ricketts T., Szentgyörgyi H., Winfree R., Klein A-M. (2011) Stability of pollination services decreases with isolation from natural areas – a global synthesis. Ecology Letters doi: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2011.01669.x.

Gökçe, A., Isaacs, R. and Whalon, M.E. (2011). Ovicidal, larvicidal and anti-ovipositional activity of Bifora radians and other plant extracts to the grape berry moth Paralobesia viteana (Clemens). Journal of Pest Science doi: 10.1007/s10340-011-0368-z.

Walton, N. and Isaacs, R. (2011) Evaluation of flowering plant strips for support of beneficial insects in blueberry. Environmental Entomology 40, 697-705.

Manosalva, L., Pardo, F., Perich, F., Mutis, A., Parra, L., Ortega, F., Isaacs, R., Quiroz, A. (2011) Responses of clover root borer to long-chain fatty acids from young red clover (Trifolium pratense) roots. Environmental Entomology 40, 399-404.

Isaacs, R. (2011) First detection and response to the arrival of Spotted Wing Drosophila in Michigan. Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society 56, 10-12.

Rodriguez-Saona, C., Parra, L., Quiroz, A., and Isaacs, R. (2011) Pollination facilitates bee selection of rewarding flowers through changes in floral scent in highbush blueberry. Annals of Botany 107, 1377-1390.

Van Timmeren, S., Wise, J.C., VanderVoort, C. and Isaacs, R. (2011) Comparison of foliar and soil formulations of neonicotinoid insecticides for control of potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), in wine grapes. Pest Management Science 67, 560-567.

Wise, J.C., Jenkins, P., Vander Poppen, and Isaacs, R. (2010) Activity of broad spectrum and reduced-risk insecticides on various life stages of cranberry fruitworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in highbush blueberry. Journal of Economic Entomology 103, 1720-1728.

Teixeira, L.A.F., Gut, L.J., Isaacs, R. (2010) Response of apple maggot and cherry fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) to color and contrast cues from small deposits. Journal of Entomological Science 45: 65-74.

Teixeira, L.A.F., Mason, K., Mafra-Neto, A., and Isaacs, R. (2010) Mechanically-applied wax matrix (SPLAT-GBM) for mating disruption of grape berry moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Crop Protection 29, 1514-1520.

Tuell, J.K. and Isaacs, R. (2010) Community and species-specific responses of wild bees to insect pest control programs applied to a pollinator-dependent crop. Journal of Economic Entomology 103, 668-675.

Isaacs, R. and Kirk, A.K. (2010) Pollination services provided to small and large blueberry fields by wild and managed bees. Journal of Applied Ecology 47, 841-849.

Tuell, J.K. and Isaacs, R. (2010) Weather during bloom affects pollination and yield of highbush blueberry. Journal of Economic Entomology 103, 557-562.

Forbes, A.A., Pelz-Stelinski, K.S. and Isaacs, R. (2010) Emergence phenology is transferred from parents to progeny in the solitary parasitoid, Diachasma alloeum. Physiological Entomology 35, 192-195.

Wise, J.C., Jenkins, P.E., Schilder, A.M.C., Vandervoort, C., and Isaacs, R. (2010) Sprayer type and water volume influence pesticide deposition and control of insect pests and diseases in juice grapes. Crop Protection 29, 378-385.

Gardiner, M.A., Tuell, J.K., Isaacs, R., Gibbs, J., Ascher, J.S., Landis, D.A. (2010) Implications of three model biofuel crops for beneficial arthropods in agricultural landscapes. BioEnergy Research 3, 6-19.

Recent extension publications
Schilder, A., Isaacs, R., Hanson, E. and Cline, B. (2008) A pocket guide to IPM scouting in highbush blueberries. Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-2928. 127 pp. Updated.

Isaacs, R., Schilder, T., and Miles, T. (2008) Blueberry aphid and shoestring virus. Michigan Blueberry Facts Publication. Extension Bulletin E-3050. Michigan State University Extension.

Wise, J. C., Gut, L. J., Isaacs, R., Schilder, A. M. C., Sundin, G. W., Zanstra, B., Hanson, E., and Shane, B. (2007, updated annually). Fruit Pest Management Guide 2008. Extension Bulletin E-154. Michigan State University Extension.

Tuell, J. K., Isaacs, R., Fielder, A., Landis, D. A. (2007) Common Bees in Michigan. Slide set available at www.nativeplants.msu.edu.

Fielder, A., Landis, D.A., Isaacs, R. and Tuell, J. K. (2007) An Introduction to Natural Enemies for Biological Control of Pest Insects. Slide set available at www.nativeplants.msu.edu.

Fielder, A., Landis, D. A., Tuell, J. K., and Isaacs, R. (2007) Providing Native Bee Habitat in Your Garden. Entomology Note No. 29, Newsletter of the Michigan Entomological Society 52.

Isaacs, R., and Tuell, J. (2007) Conserving Native Bees on Farmland. Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E2985. 4 pp.

Fiedler, A., Tuell, J. T., Isaacs, R., and Landis, D. (2007) Attracting Beneficial Insects with Native Plants. Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-2973. 6 pp.

Brewer, M., Fielder, A., Grafius, E., Harrigan, T., Isaacs, R., Kaiser, M., Landis, D., Langley, S., Martin T., Mutch D., Ngouajio, M., Snapp, S., and Tuell, J. (2007) IPM benefits of managing field borders, cover crops and other noncrop vegetation. P. 32-39. In: Building a Sustainable Future: Ecologically Based Farming Systems, Eds: Mutch, D., Johnson, L., Lenhert, D., Mutch, D., Probyn, L., Renner, K., Smeenk, J., Thalmann, S. and Worthington, L. Extension Bulletin E-2983. Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

Epstein, D., Andresen, J., Bird, G., Flore, F., Gut, L. J., McManus, P., Nugent, J., Isaacs, R., Schilder, A., Whalon, M., Sirrine, R. and Sanchez, J. (2007) Tart cherry systems. p. 74-101 In: Building a Sustainable Future: Ecologically Based Farming Systems, Eds: Mutch, D., Johnson, L., Lenhert, D., Mutch, D., Probyn, L., Renner, K., Smeenk, J., Thalmann, S. and Worthington L. Extension Bulletin E-2983. Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.