Vera Krischik
Education
M.S. Department of Zoology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Ph.D. Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Teaching
ENT 4015 Ornamental and Turf Entomology, from 2000 to 2014
ENT 5009/previously HORT 5009, Pesticides, from 2005 to 2014
Research
Integrated pest management programs (IPM) promote the use of cultural, biological and chemical tactics to manage pest insects, while conserving pollinators and beneficial insects.
Nursery and landscape industries contribute around $147 billion each year to the U.S. economy and support over 600,000 workers. Over the last 20 years, public demand for high-quality ornamental plants has more than tripled, with more than $20 billion spent each year at retail and mail order stores on plants and associated products for lawns, parks, urban forests, golf courses, and athletic fields.
Beyond their economic value, these plants are integral to human health, recreation, and community pride. Properly placed and maintained landscapes absorb noise and air pollutants, purify water, reduce soil erosion, and provide wildlife habitat. Well maintained landscapes reduce crime and violence.
Concerns about environmental and human health risks have led to restrictions on many available insecticides and fungicides. For example, there are critical concerns about the impacts of insecticides on honey bees and native pollinators. In addition, heavy use of pesticides also increases the potential that pests and pathogens will develop resistance. For examples, golf courses along the East Coast have populations of annual bluegrass weevils that are resistant to pyrethroid insecticides.
Nurseries, greenhouses, landscapers, homeowners, and state agencies embrace IPM as an environmentally sensitive and economical approach combining natural plant resistance with available control tactics. These include monitoring, thresholds, biorational insecticide use, and judicious conventional insecticide use. Conserving pollinators and beneficial insects are vital part of IPM.
Select Publications
Research Publications
Krischik, V and J Davidson. 2004. IPM of Midwest landscapes. MN Agr. Exp Station, 316 pp.
Findlay, S, M Carreiro, VA Krischik, and CG Jones. 1996. Leaf damage affects leaf litter quality. Ecological Applications 6(1): 269-275.
Books
Krischik, V and J Davidson. 2004. IPM of Midwest landscapes. MN Agr. Exp Station, 316 pp
Krischik, V. and D. Galliart. 1991. Grain Insect Pest Management, USDA AMS, 145 pp.
Websites
2014 UM AFNR extension greenhouse, nursery, and landscape website
2005-2014 MNLA, MDA, and UM pesticide certification workshop, yearly two workshops, 2 days
Website on tree insects
Website on turf insects
Website on beneficial insects
Select Extension Publications
Krischik, Vera A. 2015. Using degree days, IRA numbers, and new online bulletins. Minnesota Christmas Tree Growers March.
Krischik, Vera A. 2015. Leatherjackets and mole crickets in turf. Hole Notes Magazine, MN Golf Course Superintendents Association
Krischik, Vera A. 2014. Protecting bees and beneficial insects from systemic insecticides applied in landscapes bulletin.
Krischik, Vera A. 2014. New turf insecticides and IRAC classifications bulletin.
Krischik, Vera A. and E. Tenczar. 2014. Pollinator conservation bulletin.
Krischik, Vera A. 2014. Insecticides used in greenhouse and landscapes and toxicity to pollinators bulletin
Krischik, Vera A. and E. Tenczar. 2014. Save the Bees poster (2.5 M PDF)
Krischik, Vera. 2013. Butterfly Gardening
Krischik Vera and Doree Maser. 2011. UM MDA Japanese Beetle Management in Minnesota
Krischik, Vera. 2010. Restoring shoreland with native vegetation poster.
Krischik Vera, Catherine C. Reed, and Serena E. Willey 2005. Native Plants for Sustainable Landscapes
Krischik Vera and Kathryn J. Bevacqua. 2005. Sustainability in Urban Ecosystems
Krischik Vera and Jeffrey D. Hahn. 2003. Insecticide Suggestions to Manage Landscape Tree and Shrub Insects
Krischik Vera and Mark E. Ascerno. 2000. Managing Lawn and Turf Insects
Hahn Jeff, Vera A. Krischik, and Steven J. Seybold. 2000. Forest Tent Caterpillars in Minnesota
Kyhl John, Mary H. Meyer, and Vera A. Krischik 1998. Establishing and Maintaining a Prairie Garden
Wawrzynski Robert, Vera A. Krischik, and Steve Katovich. 1997. The Bronze Birch Borer and Its Management
Krischik Vera, Kathryn J. Bevacqua, and Anne Hanchek. 1997. Selecting Hardy Roses for Northern Climates
Stroom Kevin, Jody Fetzer, and Vera A. Krischik. 1997. Insect Pests of Roses
Vera A. Krischik, Raymond M. Newman, and John F. Kyhl. 1997. Managing Aquatic Plants in Minnesota Lakes
Students Advised
M.S.
Jameson Scholer, 2013
Mary Rogers, 2008
Emily Tenczar, 2007
Emory Matts, 2005
Scott Smith, 2000
Luis Martin, MAG 2005, co-advisor for research
Alyson Landmark, MAG 2000, co-advisor for research
Barb Gregerson, MAG 1999, co-advisor for research
Marcus Zbinden, MLS 1997, co-advisor for research
UROP undergraduate students
Tyler Obermoller, 2013
Rafael de los Rios Bolton, 2012
Emily Tenczar, 2005