Recipient Organization
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
TALLAHASSEE,FL 32307
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This proposal focuses on capacity building to train students to understand and manage destructive urban pests at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (hereafter referred to as FAMU). Urban pests are major stressors for the global economy. Generally, common household pests such as bed bugs, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and termites are perceived as urban arthropods. Nevertheless, due to population growth and urbanization, various spaces have developed that host urban arthropods. These urban arthropods exist in various systems, such as agriculture, landscape, urban structures, urban trees, urban horticulture, and household conditions. Hence urban entomology encompasses any arthropod present in an urban environment, including several invasive species invading urban environments. These urban arthropods cause billions of dollars of losses in the USA and globally.At FAMU, an informed and skilled workforce could be created by training entomology and biology undergraduate and graduate students, extension agents, and pest consultants.In this project, we will develop online resources focusing on the IPM of urban arthropods;Develop individual and group research projects focusing on trap methods and modeling to monitor and manage urban pests of households, agriculture, lands and turf, and forest to incorporate research-based learning among undergraduate students;Disseminate the IPM of urban arthropods with student's involvement. These efforts should createaworkforce to be utilized in the pesticide industry; expand the concept to other urban pests; produce research-based teaching; and increase awareness of IPM strategies among pest consultants.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
50%
Developmental
40%
Goals / Objectives
Major goals:1. Increase in the number of students recruited to engage with the urban insect pest management industry and work on the identification, monitoring, and IPM strategies for urban insect pests.2. Establish survey and experiment-based projects to evaluate the registered IPM traps for the urban insect pests.3. Develop online resources on the assembling and establishment of IPM traps for urban insect pests. 4. Develop modeling and cost-benefit analysis for the number and location of IPM traps to improve their efficiency. 5. Creation of incentives leading to the knowledge of IPM strategies for urban insect pests.
Project Methods
1. Method to recruit students:We will recruit students through campus recruitment at FAMU and in the community college of Tallahassee. We will use brochures and flyers to target students from middle and high school students. Paid summer apprenticeships and workshop programs will be used to attract students. Online recruitment (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc.) will also be done. To recruit students, we will use online student information management systems. We will also use the networks for recruitment activities., annual career fairs, open houses, and networking.2. Method to conduct academic evaluation: These criteria will be used for academic evaluation:GPA;Thesis completion for graduate students, and report writing for undergraduate students;Publications/media content (educational videos;Participation in conferences, entomology field day, entomology club, and recruitment activities.3. Method to establish experiments: A survey will be conducted and web information will be used as a basis. Local Pest management professionals (PMPs)will be contacted further to confirm the types of IPM traps. Selected IPM traps will be examined to test their efficacy. These experiments will be conducted by students in local communities. Traps will also be supplied to the PMS and results will be collected from them.4. Methods to disseminate the information:Online resources for IPM traps will be created in the form of short videos, explaining the use and installation process.The Project Director will present the data on IPM traps for urban pests on various field days.Brochures, field guides, and extension articles will be published.5. Methods to train students:Students will be involved in Entomology field day to get exposure to the urban pest industry.Pest industry people will be contacted to provide hands-on training to the students.