David K. Weaver
Associate Professor

INTRODUCTION

Research in my laboratory is primarily focused on developing new techniques and tools for wheat stem sawfly management. This insect is the most economically important pest of wheat in Montana, with annual losses exceeding $20 million. Insecticides are not a viable option for control of this insect, and current management of sawfly is driven by the planting of solid-stem wheat, which is resistant to stem lodging and causes variable mortality in the immature stages. Therefore, we are investigating insect and host plant chemical ecology, biological control, pathogens, and new sources of host plant resistance to incorporate in a non-insecticide, integrated pest management program (IPM) for this insect, which will be framed around the existing use of solid-stem varieties.

We are also researching stored-product insect populations in Montana grain storage facilities. Montana has fewer problems with losses in storage than most states, due primarily to climate, elevation, and late harvests. However, significant problems can occur especially from improperly stored grain. We are concentrating our research efforts in three areas: 1) characterizing the composition of the pest insect complex in Montana grain stores, 2) using automated aeration to chill the grain at first storage to manage the immigrating pests, and 3) field-testing new monitoring tools that greatly reduce the need to routinely sample the stored mass.

A third area of research is to measure the impact of the biological control agent Mecinus janthinus on populations of the noxious weed, Dalmation toadflax, at a number of release sites established throughout the state. These sites will ultimately serve as insectary sites for the redistribution of this agent. At this time, populations are not sufficient for this purpose. Therefore, we are measuring classical and innovative parameters to document impacts of the plant-insect interactions at these sites.

CURRICULUM VITAE - DAVID WEAVER

ACADEMIC RANK

Associate Professor,Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University

 

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Entomology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada, 1990

B.S., Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1984

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Associate Professor of Entomology, Montana State University, 2002 - present

Research Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, Montana State University, 1999 – 2002

Research Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, Montana State University, 1997 - 1999

Research Entomologist (Post-doc), USDA-ARS, CMAVE, Gainesville, FL, 1994 - 1997

Research Entomologist (Post-doc), USDA-ARS, SPIRDL, Savannah, GA, 1992 - 1994

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Entomology, Montana State University, 1990 - 1992

 

AWARDS

Certificate of Merit, USDA-ARS, 1996

Certificate of Merit, USDA-ARS, 1994

NSERC Canada Postgraduate Research Scholarship, 1987

E. Melville DuPorte Award, Department of Entomology, McGill University, 1986

 

EDITORIAL BOARDS

Editor-In-Chief, Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology, 1998 - 2002

Subject Editor - Journal of Agricultural Entomology, 1997 - 1998, 2002 - present

Subject Editor – Journal of the Entomological Society of Argentina, 2006 - present

 

PATENTS

Shuman, D., D. K. Weaver, and A. Dagan. 2002. Automated counting insect electrocutor. U.S. Patent No. 6,493,363

Dunkel, F. V., D. K. Weaver, and T. W. Weaver III. 1997. Insecticidal or insect behaviorally active preparations from aromatic plants. U.S. Patent No. 5,591,435

Dunkel, F. V., D. K. Weaver, and T. W. Weaver III. 1994. Insecticidal or insect behaviorally active preparations from aromatic plants. U.S. Patent No. 5,306,497

 

SELECTED RECENT GRANTS

Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology, “A new weapon for reducing sawfly pressure in Montana wheat fields.” October 1, 2005 – September 30, 2007. Co-P.I. with L. E. Talbert and S. E. Sing. $230,000

USDA, CSREES, Special Research Grants Program, “Sustainable, integrated management of the wheat stem sawfly.” July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007. Co-P.I. with J. Perez-Mendoza, T. B. Macedo, R. K. D. Peterson, and W. L. Morrill. $481,518

BNSF Railway Foundation, “Inoculative redistribution and monitoring of wheat stem sawfly parasitoids.” Awarded June 1, 2005 with no closing date. $57,981

MT Noxious Weed Trust Fund, “Managing toadflax with biological control in burned areas.” July 1, 2004 – September 30, 2007. Co-P.I. with R. K. D. Peterson , S. E. Sing, F. Menalled, G. Markin, and M. Schat. $78,406

MT Fertilizer Advisory Committee, “Influence of nitrogen and sulfur fertilization of wheat on production of volatile attractants for wheat stem sawfly.” July 1, 2004 – June 30, 2006. Co-P.I. with G. D. Jackson. $24,000

USDA, CSREES, Special Research Grants Program, “Novel semiochemical- and pathogen-based management strategies for wheat stem sawfly.” July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006. Co-P.I. with W. L. Morrill, R. K. D. Peterson, J. Perez-Mendoza, and T. B. Macedo. $486,145

MT Wheat and Barley Committee, “Redistribution and monitoring of wheat stem sawfly parasitoids after inoculative establishment.” July 1, 2003 – June 30, 2007. $49,760

MT Wheat and Barley Committee, “Extension-catalyzed implementation program for wheat stem sawfly biocontrol.” July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007. $10,000

COURSES TAUGHT

ENTO 520 – Insect Physiology
LRES 401 – Integrated Pest Management: Course Description, Syllabus
ENTO 500 GRADUATE SEMINAR – Conservation and Augmentation Biological Control; Current Issues in Insect Chemical Ecology

 

GRADUATE ADVISEES AND POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS

CURRENTLY: 3 Ph. D. Candidates; serve on 2 graduate student committees

GRADUATED: 1 Ph. D. (2004), 7 M. S. (2001 – 2006); served on 2 graduate student committees

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS: Currently 1 staff member, 5 previous staff members from 2001- 2006

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Entomological Society of America, Entomological Society of Canada, Georgia Entomological Society, South Carolina Entomological Society, Sigma Xi

 

SERVICE

Montana Weed Control Association Biological Control Committee, 2003-present

Montana Interagency Weed Biological Control Committee, 2004-present

Academic Affairs Committee, Montana State University, 2004-present

Grievance Committee Member, College of Agriculture, Montana State University, 2003-present

Faculty Council Liaison to Graduate Council, Montana State University, 2003-present

Faculty Council Representative for Department of Entomology, Montana State University, 2003-2005

Faculty Council Representative for Department of LRES, Montana State University, 2005-present

Serve as an ad-hoc reviewer for USDA, CSREES, SBIR and USDA, ARS, CRIS proposals and projects since 1997

Serve as an ad-hoc reviewer for NSERC (Canada) since 2005

Review Manuscripts for: Environmental Entomology, Journal of Economic Entomology, Journal of Insect Physiology, Journal of Stored Products Research, Journal of Chemical Ecology, Biological Control, Journal of Insect Science, Journal of the Entomological Society of Argentina, Journal of Applied Entomology, Pest Management Science, International Miller

PUBLICATIONS SUMMARY

6 book chapters, 109 scientific papers (70 refereed journal articles, 39 non-refereed publications)

 

PRESENTATIONS SUMMARY LAST 5 YEARS

133 Total: 28 Invitations, 52 Extension

GRANTS RECEIVED Grants received 1998 – present: $4,363,197

 

PUBLICATIONS 2002 – PRESENT

70. Macedo, T. B., D. K. Weaver, and R. K. D. Peterson. In Press. Wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton, injury and water limitation impact on photosynthetic responses of wheat, Triticum aestivum L., at the grain-filling stage. Journal of Entomological Science.

69. Macedo, T. B., R. K. D. Peterson, C. L. Dausz, and D. K. Weaver. In Press. Photosynthetic responses of wheat, Triticum aestivum L., to defoliation patterns on individual leaves. Environmental Entomology.

68. Macedo, T. B., R. K. D. Peterson, and D. K. Weaver. 2006. Photosynthetic responses of wheat, Triticum aestivum L., plants to simulated insect defoliation during vegetative growth and grain fill. Environmental Entomology 35: 1702-1709.

67. Weaver , D. K. , G. P. Opit, L. J. Mason, and J. E. Throne. 2006. Gravimetric method for determining stage of an obligate internally feeding stored-product insect pest, the cowpea weevil. Environmental Entomology 35: 1483-1490.

66. Perez-Mendoza, J., D. K. Weaver, and W. L. Morrill. 2006. Infestation of wheat and downy brome grass by wheat stem sawfly and subsequent larval performance. Environmental Entomology 35: 1279-1285.

65. Perez-Mendoza, J., and D. K. Weaver. 2006. Temperature and relative humidity effects on postdiapause larval development and adult emergence in three populations of wheat stem sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae). Environmental Entomology 35: 1222-1231.

64. Macedo, T. B., D. K. Weaver, and R. K. D. Peterson. 2006. Characterization of the impact of wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton, on pigment composition and photosystem II photochemistry of wheat heads. Environmental Entomology 35: 1115-1120.

63. Piesik, D., D. K. Weaver, G. E. Peck, andW. L. Morrill. 2006. Diel patterns in volatiles released by mechanically-damaged wheat plants. Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities 9: 1-7.

62. Piesik, D., D. K. Weaver, G. E. Peck, and W. L. Morrill. 2006. Mechanically injured wheat plants release greater amounts of linalool and linalool oxide. Journal of Plant Protection Research 46: 29-39.

61. Sing, S. E., R. K. D. Peterson, D. K. Weaver, and G. P. Markin. 2005. A retrospective analysis of known and potential risks associated with exotic toadflax-feeding insects. Biological Control 35: 276-287.

60. Nansen, C., M. E. Payton, J. B. Runyon, D. K. Weaver, W. L. Morrill, and S. E. Sing. 2005. Pre-harvest sampling plan for wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), larvae in winter wheat fields. Canadian Entomologist 137: 602-614.

59. Shuman, D., D. K. Weaver, and R. G. Larson. 2005. Performance of an analytical, dual infrared beam, stored-product insect monitoring system. Journal of Economic Entomology 98: 1723-1732.

58. Macedo, T. B., P. A. Macedo, R. K. D. Peterson, D. K. Weaver, and W. L. Morrill. 2005. Rearing the wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton, using an artificial diet. Canadian Entomologist 137: 497-500.

57. Nansen, C., T. B. Macedo, D. K. Weaver, and R. K. D. Peterson. 2005. Spatio-temporal distributions of wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton, eggs and larvae in dryland wheat fields. Canadian Entomologist 137: 428-440.

56. Peterson, R. K. D., S. E. Sing, and D. K. Weaver. 2005. Differential physiological responses of an invasive weed to injury by two insect biological control agents: implications for decision-making in biological control. Environmental Entomology 34: 899-905.

55. Macedo, T.B., R. K. D. Peterson, D. K. Weaver, and W. L. Morrill. 2005. Wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton, impact on wheat primary metabolism: an ecophysiological approach. Environmental Entomology 34: 719-726.

54. Weaver, D. K., C. Nansen, J. B. Runyon, S. E. Sing, and W. L. Morrill. 2005. Spatial distribution of Cephus cinctus Norton (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) and its braconid parasitoids in Montana wheat fields. Biological Control 34: 1-11

53. Baker, J. E., R. W. Howard, W. L. Morrill, S. B. Meers, and D. K. Weaver. 2005. Acetate esters of saturated and unsaturated alcohols (C12 to C20) are major components in  Dufour glands of Bracon cephi and Bracon lissogaster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasitoids of the wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus (Hymenoptera: Cephidae). Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 33: 757-769.

52. Nansen, C., D. K. Weaver, S. E. Sing, J. B. Runyon, W. L. Morrill, M. J. Grieshop, C. L. Shannon, and M. L. Johnson. 2005. Within-field spatial distribution of Cephus cinctus(Hymenoptera: Cephidae) larvae in Montana wheat fields. Canadian Entomologist 137: 202-214.

51.Weaver, D. K.,S. E. Sing, J. B. Runyon, and W. L. Morrill. 2004. Potential impact of cultural practices on wheat stem sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) and associated parasitoids. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology 21: 271-287.

50. Mankin, R. M., D. K. Weaver, M. J. D. Grieshop, B. Larson, and W. L. Morrill. 2004. Acoustic system for insect detection in plant stems: comparisons of Cephus cinctus in wheat and Metamasius callizona in bromeliads. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology 21: 239-248.

49. Perez-Mendoza, J., D. K. Weaver, and J. E. Throne. 2004. Development and survivorship of immature Angoumois grain moth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on stored corn. Environmental Entomology 33: 807-814.

48. Arbogast, R. T., D. K. Weaver, P. E. Kendra, and S. R. Chini. 2004. Temperature variation in stored maize and its effect on capture of beetles in grain probe traps. Journal of Stored Products Research 40: 135-150.

47. Daisy, B. H., G. A. Strobel, U. Castillo, D. Ezra, J. Sears, D. K. Weaver, and J. B. Runyon. 2002. Naphthalene, an insect repellent, is produced by Muscodor vitigenus, a novel endophytic fungus. Microbiology 148: 3737-3741.

46. Runyon, J. B., W. L. Morrill, D. K. Weaver, and P. R. Miller. 2002. Parasitism of the wheat stem sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) by Bracon cephi and B. lissogaster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in wheat fields bordering tilled and untilled fallow in Montana. Journal of Economic Entomology 95: 1130-1134.

45. Johnson, D. L., J. S. Smits, S. T. Jaronski, and D. K. Weaver. 2002. Assessment of health and growth of ring-necked pheasants following consumption of infected insects or conidia of entomopathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae var acridum and Beauveria bassiana, from Madagascar and North America. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 65: 2145-2162.

44. Cossé, A. A., R. J. Bartelt, D. K. Weaver, and B. W. Zilkowski. 2002. Pheromone components of the wheat stem sawfly: Identification, electrophysiology, and field bioassay. Journal of Chemical Ecology 28: 391-407.

43. Bartelt, R. J., A. A. Cossé, R. J. Petroski, and D. K. Weaver. 2002. Cuticular hydrocarbons and novel alkenediol diacetates from wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus): Natural oxidation to pheromone components. Journal of Chemical Ecology 28: 369-390.