Judith Myers

Emerita

My research interests include the theory and practice of biological control of insects and plants, population ecology of insects, ecology of invasive plants and the ecological and evolutionary factors influencing Bt resistance and NPV dynamics

 

Research interests

  1. Populations of western tent caterpillars in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia fluctuate with peaks occurring every 6 to 11 years. We have been studying the characteristics associated with these fluctuations and in particular the role of infection by nucleopolyhedrovirus in the host population dynamics. We are embarking on a genetic study of populations to determine the role of gene flow in maintaining synchrony among populations.
  2. Recent success in the biological control of diffuse knapweed has stimulated interest in how the various biological control agents interact and if the last insect to be widely established, a weevil, would have been sufficient on its own. We have established experimental cages in areas near Okanagan Falls in which diffuse knapweed has reinvaded following fire. Our goal is to be able to better predict what makes successful biological control agents.
  3. Populations of cabbage loopers in vegetable green houses sometimes become resistant to a commonly used microbial control, Dipel or Bacillus thuringiensis. We have been studying the cost of resistance, the genetic control of resistance, and the mechanisms that influence resistance to understand coevolutionary interactions between the disease and the host and to make recommendations to growers for resistance management.
Cyzenis albicans (Fall) does not prevent the outbreak of introduced winter moth (Operophtera brumata (L.)) in birch stands and blueberry plots in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia
Environ. Entomol. 28: 96-107
Horgan, Finbarr, J.H. Myers and R. Van Meel
1999
Incidence of nuclear polyhedrosis virus in fluctuating populations of western tent caterpillars
Envir. Entomol. 28:44-52
Kukan, B. and J.H. Myers
1999
The influence of larval age on the lethal and sublethal effects of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus in cabbage loopers (Trichoplusia ni)
Biological Control 12: 119-126
Milks, M.L., Burnstyn, I. and J.H. Myers
1999
Synchrony in outbreaks of forest Lepidoptera in the Northern Hemisphere: A possible example of the Moran Effect
Ecology 79: 1111-1117
Myers, J.H
1998
Eradication and pest management
Annual Rev. Entomology 43:471-492
Myers, J.H. , Anne Savoie and Ed van Randen
1997
Maternal effects in gypsy moth: only sex ratio varies with population density
Ecology 79: 305-314
Myers, J.H., G. Boetner, and J.S. Elkinton
1997
Prevalence and persistence of nuclear polyhedrosis virus in fluctuating populations of forest tent caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)
Environ. Entomol. 26:882-887
Kukan, B. and J.H. Myers
1997
Climate and outbreaks of the forest tent caterpillar
Ecogeography 18: 353-362
Daniel, Colin and J.H. Myers
1995
How many insects are necessary for the biological control of weeds
Environmental Entomology 18(4):541–547
Myers, Judith H., Charlene Higgin, and Ervin Kovacs
1989
The ability of plants to compensate for insect attack: Why biological control of weeds with insects is so difficult
Proc. VII Int. Symp. Bio. Cont. Weeds. E. Delfosse (Ed.) pp. 67-73
Myers, J.H., C. Risley and R. Eng
1989