How do entomologists apply research in a Cooperative Extension program?

You'll want to hear UC Integrated Pest Management (UC IPM) entomology advisor Dylan Beal, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Program, present a seminar, hosted by the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology (ENT), on Monday, Jan. 6.

He will be the lead-off speaker of the winter seminar series.

Beal will discuss "From Greenhouses and Grapes to Tree Fruit, Berries, and Beyond: Applying Entomology Research in an Extension Context" at 4:10 p.m., Monday, Jan. 6 in 122 Briggs Hall, UC Davis campus. His seminar also will be on Zoom. The link: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/95882849672

Born and raised in Santa Clarita County, Beal is the new UC IPM Entomology Advisor serving Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties.  He accepted the position in September 2024.

"Cooperative Extension programs rely on collaboration, adaptability, and communication to work with clientele to develop and implement innovative solutions to agricultural pest management," he writes in his abstract. "As students, it isn't always clear how past or current work experiences may translate into future careers. In this seminar, I will reflect on lessons learned from experiences in different research institutions, fields, and countries to address insect pests of greenhouses, vineyards, tree fruit orchards and berry farms. These experiences will inform my approach as I work with growers in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties to understand and address the arthropod pest issues that they face."

Beal holds two bachelor degrees from Cornell University--one in entomology and the other in plant pathology.  "At Cornell, I was first exposed to the world of Cooperative Extension, working in a lab to study and support natural enemies of spider mites, aphids, thrips, fungus gnats, and whiteflies in greenhouses," he writes in his blog published in Salinas Valley Agriculture, highlighting agricultural developments, problems, research, and issues for central coast California.

"In partnership with Montpellier SupAgro and the Università degli Studi di Torino," he obtained his master's degree in viticulture and enology. "For my master's thesis, I worked with Italian grape growers on understanding the ecology and management of leafhopper vectors of the pathogen responsible for European grapevine yellows (Flavescence dorée phytoplasma)."

Beal received his doctorate at UC Berkeley, where he studied environmental science, policy, and management, and worked with grape growers and Cooperative Extension advisors in Napa and Sonoma county "to understand the role of spittlebug insect vectors in spreading Xylella fastidiosa, the bacteria responsible for Pierce's disease of grapevine."

Beal then worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Washington State University "with cherry and blueberry growers to adapt and adopt innovative and internationally recognized practices for sustainable management of Spotted-Wing Drosophila (SWD).  As part of that work, I have closely partnered with growers, pest control advisors, USDA scientists, Cooperative Extension advisors, and industry representatives on SWD projects related to biological control, cultural control, behavioral control, and pesticide resistance screening and management. Additionally, I was part of a team that worked to coordinate SWD management with the management of the leafhopper vectors of X-Disease phytoplasma in cherry."

Beal joins UC Cooperative Extension program with 15 years of experience working in New York, California, Washington State, France, and Italy.

"I'm excited to collaborate with you all to support the development and adoption of innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable insect pest management practices," he blogged. "I aim to develop partnerships, lifelong relationships, and projects that center and elevate grower voices, experiences, and leadership.  Together, I hope that we can not only address the threat that agricultural insect pests pose to our three counties but also help to support the many communities and ecosystems that interface with our agricultural livelihoods."  He may be reached at  831-759-7359 or djbeal@ucanr.edu. "The Bug Doctor is in to look at any insects you may find!"

Nematologist Amanda Hodson, assistant professor, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, coordinates the ENT seminars, held every Monday at 4:10 p.m. in 122 Briggs Hall. She may be reached at akhodson@ucdavis.edu for any Zoom issues.