S01:E04
“IPM Basics: Building Your Pest Management Toolbox with Dr. Erich Schoeller”
What if the secret to healthier plants isn’t reaching for the spray bottle, but building a smarter system? In this episode, Dr. Ping Yu sits down with Dr. Erich Schoeller, an entomologist and IPM specialist at the University of Georgia, to break down the fundamentals of Integrated Pest Management. From the IPM pyramid to parasitoid wasps, from banker plants to predatory mites, Erich walks us through the science-based strategies that can help growers reduce pesticide use while keeping pests in check.
Along the way, discover how a pharmacy student became an entomologist, why tephritid fruit flies are surprisingly beautiful, and the enchanting Greek mythology behind lilacs. Whether you’re a commercial grower looking to build an IPM program or a plant enthusiast curious about the tiny creatures sharing your garden, this episode delivers practical wisdom with a side of wonder.
Listen Time: ~45 minutes
Consulte las Notas del Programa
Dr. Erich Schoeller — Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia. Erich specializes in controlled environment agriculture and integrated pest management for greenhouse and nursery production. His research focuses on biological control strategies for ornamental crops.
Dr. Ping Yu — Assistant Professor and Ornamental Horticulture Extension Specialist, University of Georgia
Pros:
The Resistance Problem:
Managing Resistance:
Layer 1 — Prevention (Base):
Layer 2 — Detection:
Layer 3 — Control:
Banker Plants (Biological Control):
Trap Crops (Cultural Control):
Cons of IPM:
For Sweet Potato Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci):
For Western Flower Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis):
Generalist vs. Specialist Biocontrol:
“IPM is basically a science-based decision support system, which essentially aims to reduce the use of plant protection products to levels that are economically sustainable and that are safe for the environment and human health.” — Dr. Erich Schoeller
“They often say prevention is the best medicine, right? It helps you deal with problems before they even arise, which will ultimately save you money.” — Dr. Erich Schoeller
“If they don’t know what they’re looking for and don’t know how to properly document the problems, your whole IPM pyramid is going to basically collapse.” — Dr. Erich Schoeller
“We might not have a natural enemy that controls everything, but we do have natural enemies that control one thing and they do it very well.” — Dr. Erich Schoeller
“It’s not just for the IPM to work, basically for a lot of things in life. You kind of have to wait and see if this works.” — Dr. Ping Yu
The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee categorizes pesticides by their mode of action — how they kill or affect pest physiology. When rotating products, choose different IRAC groups to slow resistance development. Check pesticide labels or the IRAC website for mode of action codes.
| Type | How It Works | Examples | |——|–––––––|–––––| | Predators | Hunt and eat pests directly | Orius bugs, Delphastus beetles, predatory mites | | Parasitoids | Lay eggs inside pests; larvae consume host from within | Encarsia formosa, Eretmocerus wasps | | Entomopathogenic fungi | Infect and kill pests through fungal disease | Beauveria bassiana | | Entomopathogenic nematodes | Microscopic worms that infect soil-dwelling pests | Applied through irrigation or drenching |
The scientific name for lilac, Syringa, comes from Greek mythology. The nymph Syringa transformed herself into a lilac shrub to escape the pursuing god Pan. Finding only the shrub, Pan fashioned its hollow stems into the first pan pipes (also called a syrinx). Lilacs are among the first to bloom in spring, symbolizing new life, the arrival of spring, and first love — especially in European traditions.
Blooms and Beyond is a podcast that covers plant history, culture, and management through the lens of science. Whether you’re a commercial grower looking for management solutions, a student exploring horticulture careers, or someone who just loves plants and their stories, you’ll find something here for you. Hosted by Dr. Ping Yu from the University of Georgia, each episode features interviews with experts who bring enchanting stories, pioneering research, and practical wisdom from the world of horticulture.
Your Takeaway: When you walk away from each episode, commercial professionals should have at least one piece of advice to help with production, and plant enthusiasts should have one cool fact to share about plants. Because that’s how we spread plant power to a larger audience and make the environment a little bit better.
Host: Dr. Ping Yu Guest: Dr. Erich Schoeller, University of Georgia Department of Entomology Producer: Rich Braman, UGA Center for Urban Agriculture Support: American Floral Endowment Educational Grant
This episode is made possible through an educational grant from the American Floral Endowment, whose research priorities helped shape the topics that are featured. To learn more about AFE and access their research and educational resources, visit endowment.org.
Episode Release Date: December 21, 2025 Episode Length: 45:11
“Till next time, stay healthy and go plants!” 🌱🌿
▲
/│\
/ │ \
/ │ \ CHEMICAL CONTROL
/ │ \ (Last Resort)
/────┼────\
/ │ \
/ │ \ BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
/ │ \ (Living Organisms)
/────────┼────────\
/ │ \
/ │ \ CULTURAL/MECHANICAL
/ │ \(Sanitation, Pruning)
/────────────┼────────────\
/ │ \
/ │ \ DETECTION
/ │ \ (Scouting & Monitoring)
/────────────────┼────────────────\
/ │ \
/ │ \ PREVENTION
/___________________│___________________\(Rotation, Resistant Varieties)
Start at the base — work your way up only as needed!
🌻 Every plant has a story. Every pest has a natural enemy. And every grower has the power to build a smarter system. 🌿