Dr. Christina DiFonzo

Difonzo.

Professor
University of Minnesota (1995)

difonzo@msu.edu
331 Natural Science
(517) 353-5328

Specialty
Field Crops Entomologist

Recommended links
MSU Field Crops Team
MSU Crop Advisory Team Alert Newsletter
Soybean Aphid RAMP Website
Regional Aphid Suction Trap Network

Dr. DiFonzo is the field crops entomologist, responsible for applied research and extension related to corn, soybean, dry beans, sugar beets, alfalfa, patstures, small grains and stored grain. Current research interests include the biology and management of soybean aphid and control of corn rootworm. Many of her research projects involve cooperation with faculty in the Departments of Crop and Soil Sciences and Plant Pathology.  She is interested in international agricultural education, participating in the MSU International Program's IPM and Biotechnology summer short courses and cooperationg on biotech training in the Philippines. Dr. DiFonzo teaches ENT 477, a pesticide course, in even years, and ENT 404, Fundatmentals of Entomology, every fall. She also serves as co-advisor of the Entomology undergraduate program with Dr. Pett and manages the Department of Entomology research farm.

Recent publications
Walter, A.J. and C.D. DiFonzo. 2007. Soil potassium deficiency affects soybean phloem nitrogen and soybean aphid populations. Environ. Entomol. 36(1). In Press

F. Song, S.M. Swinton, C. DiFonzo, M. O'Neal and D.W. Ragsdale. 2006. Profitability analysis of soybean aphid control treatments in three Northcentral states. MSU Dept of Agricultural Economics. Staff Paper 2006-24.

Renkema, J.M., J.P. Nyrop, C. DiFonzo, M.K. Sears and A.W. Schaafsma. 2006. Control Decision Rule for European Chafer Larvae in Field Corn. J. Econ. Ent. 99(1): 76-84

Mensah, C., C. DiFonzo, R.L. Nelson and D. Wang. 2005. Resistance to soybean aphid in early maturing soybean germplasm. Crop Science 45: 2228-2233.