Controlled Environment Entomology
A multidisciplinary approach to sustainable, effective pest control in controlled environment crop production
Ecosystem-Friendly Solutions to Pests in Controlled Environment Crop Production Systems
The controlled environment entomology lab at Dallas is leading the effort to find sustainable, ecosystem-friendly solutions to pest problems in controlled environment crop production systems.
The CEA entomology lab uses a multidisciplinary research approach.
We combine molecular ecology, habitat management, and applied entomology into a sustainable and integrated approach to pest control. Our approach aims to reduce producer reliance on chemical insecticides while increasing solution efficacy and profitability for growers.
Arash Kheirodin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Controlled Environments Entomologist | Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University Department of Entomology
Research projects
Compatibility of selective insecticides and entomopathogenic fungi with biocontrol
Selective insecticides and entomopathogenic fungi are another pillar of integrated management efforts for pest control in agricultural fields and CEA crops. While these EPFs and insecticides are highly effective in controlling several pests, studying their interaction with natural enemies is critical to ensure their compatibility with biocontrol efforts. Designing an effective integrated pest management program…
Learn more Compatibility of selective insecticides and entomopathogenic fungi with biocontrol
Habitat management to improve biocontrol efforts
The success of natural enemies in pest control largely depends on the surrounding environment providing support for their population. Flowering plants could provide vital alternative carbohydrate and protein resources for natural enemies, boosting their population growth and survivorship in a controlled environment. The research in the controlled environment agriculture entomology lab aims to find flowering…
Optimizing biological control efforts for pest control
The way natural enemies interact with one another and respond to the density of the target pest and alternative prey determines their efficacy in biological control efforts. Research in CEA entomology aims to find compatible mixes of natural enemies that engage in synergistic interaction and result in complementary predation on pest populations in CEA crops.…
Learn more Optimizing biological control efforts for pest control
Explore Controlled ENvironment Horticulture at Dallas
The AgriLife Extension Urban Horticulture program is part of a comprehensive effort at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas to advance all aspects of crop production in controlled environments — delivering nutritious, delicious, and resilient food crops that are economically and environmentally sustainable.
