Front row (L to R): Cooper Dalton, Amelia Heintz-Botz, Jim Walgenbach, Sean Gresham, Tom Bilbo, Seth Ellis. Back row: Steve Schoof, Taylor Ackley, Alex Lines.

Permanent lab members

Dr. Jim Walgenbach has been the principal investigator of the entomology lab at the MHCREC since 1986. He conducts an applied research and extension program on the ecology and management of arthropod pests of tree fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Tom Bilbo is a postdoctoral researcher who joined the lab in April 2019. Tom focuses on improving biological control of spider mites and thrips in fruiting vegetables.

Amelia Heintz-Botz has been a research assistant in the lab since 2018. She maintains the lab colonies and works in the field using biocontrol agents for two spotted spider mites and brown marmorated stink bugs.

Emily Ogburn joined the lab as a research associate in 2014. Emily works on brown marmorated stink bug ecology, with a focus on biological control and native parasitoids.

Steve Schoof started as a summer assistant in 1996 and became a full-time research specialist in 2004. He facilitates operations, monitors regional insect populations, and delivers information to stakeholders.

• Walgenbach Lab home
• Research Program
• Walgenbach Lab on Facebook

Additional Resources

• Apple Pest Management
  • Current Western North Carolina Orchard Pest Populations
• Vegetable Pest Management
  • Benefits of Applying Insecticides with Drip Chemigation
• Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in North Carolina
  • Biological Control of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
• Biological Control with Predators and Parasitoids
• Intergrated Orchard Management Guide for Commercial Apples in the Southeast
• Southeastern US Vegetable Crop Handbook
• North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual
• Compendium of Apple and Pear Diseases and Pests (APS Press)
• Management of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in US Specialty Crops: Annual Reports
• BMSB Monitoring in North Carolina: 2019; 2018
• Walgenbach Lab Annual Reports
• Department of Entomology at NC State University

Entomology Dept.
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center
455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC 28759
Phone: 828.684.3562 ~ Fax: 828.684.8715
Email: j