Individual Listing

Kearney Ag Ctr 9240 S Riverbend Ave, Parlier, CA 93648
University of California
Riverside, CA 92521

Johnson, Marshall

Extension Specialist , Entomologist & Lecturer

College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Entomology


Biography

My research experiences include over 35 years of work on various cropping systems (e.g., field crops, vegetables, and tropical fruit crops) involving many important pest species (Liriomyza leafminers, Mediterranean fruit fly, diamondback moth, corn earworm, Dysmicoccus mealybugs, greenhouse and silverleaf whiteflies, etc.) and their natural enemies. My research interests are primarily in developing alternative arthropod pest management strategies that minimize pesticide use, but provide growers with practical and feasible controls. My work spans the continuum from basic to applied research. Since moving to California in 2002, my focus has been on insects attacking perennial tree crops including stone fruit (peaches, nectarines, plums & prunes), nut crops (almonds & walnuts), and olives as well as vineyard crops (table grapes, wine grapes, and raisins). The major pests currently under investigation in my laboratory are the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae), glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), and the tenlined June beetle, Polyphylla decimlineata (Say) and its cousin Polyphylla sabrina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Olive fruit fly (OLF) was discovered in California in 1998 and has spread to all major olive production areas of the state. This insect infests olives grown for curing (i.e., the black California olive) and production of high quality olive oil. Currently, insecticide bait sprays (attractant + Spinosad®) are frequently applied for OLF suppression. In coordination with several collaborators, my laboratory is involved in various studies related to improving OLF management using bait sprays as well as non-chemical methods. Presently, selected braconid parasitoids are being released to initiate a classical biological control program for OLF suppression. Efforts are underway to better understand and predict the impacts of high summer temperatures (> 100°F) on OLF survival in California’s Central Valley, where most table olives are grown, so that growers may be able to reduce bait sprays during extremely hot periods. Glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) is an invasive species that vectors various strains of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes many plant diseases including Pierce’s Disease of grapes. In collaboration with the USDA-ARS, CDFA, UC Berkeley and UC Riverside colleagues, my laboratory has investigated ecological criteria that impact GWSS biological control, host plant preferences and feeding, and overwintering abilities. Findings to date have provided insights into: a) why GWSS adults commonly move among host plants as host plant water potentials change; b) how cool temperatures impede GWSS ability to feed and may prevent them from surviving the winter in localities where daily maximum temperatures do not commonly rise above 50°F; and c) why some plants used by GWSS as ovipositional hosts may help the insect escape parasitization. Tenlined June beetle (TLJB) is native to the western USA. In sandy areas of the San Joaquin Valley, some fruit and nut orchards have been removed because of damage sustained from the root feeding grubs. The subterranean activities of all active stages except the adult males provide some protection from human efforts to control the insect. Research to date has focused on the identification and delivery of effective controls (e.g., insecticides, entomopathogenic nematodes) to the grubs underground.  

Awards

2008 - Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
2006 - Fellow, Entomological Society of America
1996 - C. W. Woodworth Award, Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America
1992 - Entomological Society of America Recognition Award for Contributions to Agriculture


Research Area

Integrated pest management of grapes, stone fruit, almonds and walnuts; biological control of arthropods; pesticide resistance in pests and natural enemies

Publications

Johnson, M. W., C. Pickel, L. L. Strand, L. G. Varela, C. A. Wilen, M. P. Bolda, M. L. Flint, W. K. F. Lam, F. G. Zalom. 2007. Light brown apple moth in California: Quarantine, management, and potential impacts.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PDF/PUBS/lbam070717.pdf

Johnson, M. W, F. G. Zalom, R. Van Steenwyk, P. Vossen, A. K. Devarenne, K. M. Daane, W. H. Krueger, J. H. Connell, V. Yokoyama, B. Bisabri, J. Caprile, and J. Nelson. 2006. Olive fruit fly management guidelines for 2006. UC Plant Protection Quarterly 16(3):1-7.

Pandey, R. R., & M. W. Johnson. 2006. Enhanced production of pink pineapple mealybug, Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Biocontrol Science and Technology 16: 389 - 401.

Hooks, C. R. R., R. R. Pandey, & M. W. Johnson. 2006. Effects of spider presence on Artogeia rapae and host plant biomass. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 112: 73 – 77.

Johnson, M. W. 2005. Our war with the insects: Analysis of lost battles. pp. 207-223. In K. M. Heinz, R. Frisbie & C. Bográn, (eds.), Entomology at the Land Grant University: Perspectives from the Texas A&M University Department Centenary, Texas A&M Press, College Station, TX. 341 pp.

Johnson, M. W., N. C. Toscano, H. Costa, and John Palumbo. 2004. Integrated Pest Management in vegetables and ornamentals in the Western United States. In: Novel Approaches to Pest Management. (A. R. Horowitz and I. Ishaaya, eds.). Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany. pp. 279-299.

Hooks, C. R. R., and M. W. Johnson. 2003. Impact of agricultural diversification on the insect community of cruciferous crops. Crop Protection 22: 223-238.

Rohrbach, K. G., and M. W. Johnson. 2003. Pests, diseases and weeds. pp. 203-251. In The Pineapple: Botany, Production and Uses, CABI Publishing, NY, CAB International, UK (D. Bartholomew, R. E. Paull & K. G. Rohrbach, eds.). 301 pp.

Johnson, M. W. and B. E. Tabashnik. 1999. Enhanced biological control through pesticide selectivity. pp. 297–317. In: Handbook of Biological Control, Academic Press, San Diego. (T. Fisher, T. S. Bellows, L. E. Caltagirone, D. L. Dahlsten, Carl Huffaker, and G. Gordh, eds.). 1046 pp.

Gonzalez-Hernandez, H., M. W. Johnson, and N. J. Reimer. 1999. Impact of Pheidole megacephala (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on the biological control of Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae). Biological Control 15: 145–152.

Johnson, M. W., and B. E. Tabashnik. 1994. Laboratory selection for pesticide resistance in natural enemies. pp. 91-105. In: Applications of Genetics to Arthropods of Biological Control Significance (S. K. Narang, A. C. Bartlett, R. M. Faust, eds.). CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, FL. 199 pp.

Tabashnik, B. E., N. L. Cushing, N. Finson, and M. W. Johnson. 1990. Field development of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis in diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 83: 1671 - 1676.