Wayne A Gardner

Today’s global community challenges our ability to limit the negative impacts that invasive insects may have in food and fiber production, human health and well-being, and stored products and possessions. In recent years, our research program has focused on the management of one such invasive pest – the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. More recently, our efforts have been directed to the kudzu bug, Megacopta cribraria, including our efforts to ease concerns of U.S. trading partners fearing the potential of accidental introduction of the pest to their countries in U.S. exports. We also continue an emphasis on the development of microbial agents for the management of pecan weevil, Curculio caryae, in southern pecan orchards. I also serve as Program Coordinator for the UGA Research and Education Garden on the UGA Griffin Campus – a facility committed to developing, evaluating, and delivering fact-based management practices for southern landscapes.