Vernon, Robert S., Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Contact Information:

6947 Highway 7
PO Box 1000
Agassiz, British Columbia V0M 1A0
Telephone: 604-796-1708
Fax: 604-796-0359
Email: bob.vernon@agr.gc.ca

Areas of Expertise:

  • integrated pest management
  • field vegetable entomology

Current Projects:

  • Development of IPM tools and strategies for the management of wireworms
  • To develop best management practices for insect and mite pests of field crops through an integration of environmentally responsible and reduced-risk control strategies and pest monitoring.
  • To develop insect and mite control technologies for field crop ecosystems that are environmentally responsible, sustainable and reduced-risk.
  • To develop insect and mite monitoring methods and economic thresholds for field crop ecosystems

Research Publications:

The links below lead to abstracts with access to full text.

2013:

2012:

2011:

  • van Herk, W.G. and Vernon, R.S. (2011). "Mortality of Metarhizium anisopliae infected wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) and feeding on wheat seedlings is affected by wireworm weight.", Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia, 108(December), pp. 38-40.

2010:

2009:

Other Science Related Publications:

2013:

  • Vernon, R.S. and van Herk, W.G. (2013). "Wireworms as pests of potato.", in Giordanengo, P., Vincent, C., and Alyokhin, A. (eds.) - Insect Pests of Potato: Global Perspectives on Biology and Management, Elsevier Inc. Academic Press, pp. 103-164.

2012:

  • Adams, E.M., Roitberg, B.D., and Vernon, R.S. (2012). "Permeability of mesh exclusion fencing to ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) predators.", Entomological Society of Canada and the Entomological Society of Alberta 2012 Joint Annual Meeting, Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, Edmonton, AB, Canada, November 4-7, 2012, #3. (Abstract)
  • Vernon, R.S. (2012). "Wireworms: Management perspectives, present and future.", Entomological Society of America (ESA) 60th Annual Meeting, Knoxville Convention Centre, Knoxville, TN, USA, November 11-14, 2012, #1133.
  • Zuur, A.F., Blackshaw, R.P., Vernon, R.S., Thiebaud, F., Ieno, E.N., and Saveliev,, A.A. (2012). "Analysis of zero inflated click-beetle data.", in Zuur, A.F., Saveliev, A.A., and Ieno, E.N. - Zero Inflated Models and Generalized Linear Mixed Models with R. Zuur, Saveliev, Ieno, Highland Statistics Ltd., Chapter 257-276.

2011:

  • Elliott, J.E., Wilson, L.K., and Vernon, R.S. (2011). "Controlling wireworms without killing wildlife in the Fraser River Delta.", in Elliott, J.E., Bishop, C.A., and Morrissey, C.A. (eds.) - Wildlife Ecotoxicology: Forensic Approaches. Series: Emerging Topics in Ecotoxicology, Vol. 3, Springer New York, Chapter 7, pp. 213-238.
  • Vernon, R.S. and van Herk, W.G. (2011). "Wireworm management: mitigating environmental risk with the development of new 'push-pull' strategies.", IOBC / WPRS Bulletin, 66, pp. 29. (Abstract)

2010:

  • Vernon, R.S. and van Herk, W.G. (2010). "Low dose methods for controlling inssect pests.", published in US Patent 3 61/105.504 (2008), PCT/CA2009/001452 (2009). (Patent)
  • Vernon, R.S., Kabaluk, J.T., Mikitzel, L.J., and Noronha, C. (2010). "Reduced-risk Wireworm Management in Potato.", published by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)/Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada (AAC), Pesticide Risk Reduction Program/Programme de réduction des risques liés aux pesticides, pp. 1-4. (Technology transfer)
  • Vernon, R.S., van Herk, W.G., Tolman, J.H., and Noronha, C. (2010). "Wireworms in Canada: Challenges, surveys, and new control options.", Saskatchewan Green Trades Conference, Saskatoon, SK,, Canada, November 12, 2010. (Presentation)
  • Vernon, R.S., van Herk, W.G., Tolman, J.H., and Noronha, C. (2010). "Wireworms in Canada: Life history and biology, species distribution, surveys, damage, toxicology, and what to expect with new insecticides.", Manitoba Potato Producer Days, Brandon, MB, Canada, January 27, 2010. (Presentation)
  • van Herk, W.G., Vernon, R.S., and Labun, T. (2010). "Identification of economic wireworms in Canada.", Syngenta stakeholders meeting, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, September 8, 2010. (Presentation)

2009:

  • Tolman, J.H., Alhemzawi, A., and Vernon, R.S. (2009). "Planting treatments for control of damage to potato tubers by field wireworms, 2008.", Pest Management Research Report / Rapport de Recherche de la Lutte Dirigee, 47(Report #18), pp. 55-57.