I See Dead Plants

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Issac Esquivel of the University of Florida, Dr. Phillip Roberts of the University of Georgia and Dr. Scott Graham of Auburn University. They discuss the ongoing surveillance and damage caused to cotton by the cotton jassid or two-spot cotton leafhopper.

Additional Resources

https://stop2scl.org/cotton/

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/crop-production/alabama-cotton-jassid-update/

https://site.caes.uga.edu/entomologyresearch/2025/08/pest-alert-cotton-jassid-or-two-spot-cotton-leafhopper-on-hibiscus-in-ornamental-nurseries/

Time Stamps

00:42 Introduction to the Two Spot Cotton Leafhopper

03:03 Understanding the Cotton Leafhopper's Impact

06:13 Tracking the Spread of the Cotton Leafhopper

11:18 Current Status and Management Strategies

19:50 Overwintering and Migration Patterns

23:50 Geographical Spread and Host Preferences

31:13 Lessons Learned from the Cotton Leafhopper Crisis

33:45 Timely Management in Pest Control

37:46 Understanding Pest Interactions

41:45 Challenges in Targeting Multiple Pests

46:41 Evaluating the Impact of Cotton Jassid

53:06 Future Research Directions and Industry Response

Zaworski, E. (Host) and Esquivel, I., Graham, S. and Roberts, P.(Interviewees). S5:E17 (Podcast). The Return of the Jassid: New Insights on Cotton Jassid in 2026. 9/16/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Emily Bick of the University of Wisconsin Madison. They discuss the work of Emily's lab with regards to the insect eavesdropper project. Tune in to learn how we can listen to insects inside of plants and how it might help farmers.

Additional Resources

https://www.bicklab.com/home

https://www.npr.org/2024/09/02/nx-s1-5096781/short-wave-insect-eavesdropper

Time Stamps

00:42 Introduction to Insect Eavesdropper

03:42 Emily's Journey into Entomology

06:33 Understanding Digital Entomology

09:18 The Concept of Insect Eavesdropper

12:24 Mechanics of Listening to Plants

15:21 The Technology Behind Insect Detection

18:06 Machine Learning in Insect Sound Identification

21:02 Practical Applications and Future Directions

39:46 Understanding Plant Sounds and Insect Detection

44:06 The Role of Technology in Pest Management

47:21 Future Applications of Insect Eavesdropping

53:31 Challenges and Opportunities in Data Collection

58:39 Vision for the Future of Pest Management

01:06:55 The Future of Digital Entomology

01:12:32 Communicating the Value of Insect Eavesdropping

Zaworski, E. (Host) and Bick, E. (Interviewee). S5:E16 (Podcast). Bugging the Bugs: Inside the Insect Eavesdropper. 9/2/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr Sylvain Charlebois who studies food distribution at Dalhousie University. They discuss economics, logistics, the power of the consumer and more.

Additional Resources

Time Stamps

00:00 – Introduction: Why Food Distribution Matters

03:45 – How the Modern Food Supply Chain Works

10:30 – What Drives the Price of Food?

17:20 – Plant Diseases Through the Eyes of a Food Economist

24:15 – Bananas, Cavendish, and the Perfect Supply Chain

34:30 – Grocery Stores: The Hidden Science of Selling Food

43:15 – Why Farmers Grow What They Grow

51:00 – When Plant Diseases Disrupt the Food System

59:15 – The Future of Food Distribution

1:07:00 – Final Thoughts: Feeding the Future

Zaworski, E. (Host) and Charlebois, S. (Interviewee). S5:E15 (Podcast). Aisles Under Attack: Food Distribution and Plant Pests. 7/29/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Jeri Barak of the University of Wisconsin. They discuss the work of Jeri and her lab on food safety and how in some instances plant pathogens can increase the chances that you encounter a human pathogen when eating fresh produce.

Additional Resources

https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.01330-22

https://journals.asm.org/doi/epub/10.1128/aem.01311-24

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to Microbial Research and Background

06:34 Transition from Marine Biology to Plant Pathology

09:56 Understanding Enteric Human Pathogens

11:46 Overview of Current Research in Food Safety

16:37 The Role of Salmonella in Agriculture

22:01 Interaction Between Plant Pathogens and Human Pathogens

28:34 The Role of Plant Pathogens in Human Health

31:19 Management Strategies for Bacterial Diseases

35:08 Future Directions in Research

39:20 Consumer Awareness and Food Safety

42:30 The Importance of Research in Food Security

48:21 outro with logo.mp4

Zaworski, E. (Host) and Barak, J. (Interviewee). S5:E14 (Podcast). What's Lurking in the Lettuce?. 7/22/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Rachel Vann of the University of Illinois. They talk about Rachel's experiences with extension in different regions as well as her work with the science for success program

Additional Resources

https://resources.ipmcenters.org/resource.cfm?rid=45271&vid=30391

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0Y18p4N_UI&feature=youtu.be

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Rachel Van and Her Journey

06:15 Exploring the Science for Success Program

11:44 Key Takeaways from Science for Success

16:28 Transitioning from North Carolina to Illinois Extension

21:54 Comparing Agronomic Practices in North Carolina and Illinois

22:22 Comparative Agronomic Systems: North Carolina vs. Illinois

26:14 Building Relationships in Extension Programs

31:53 Research Focus: Transitioning from North Carolina to Illinois

36:52 Advice for Transitioning: Making a Move

42:46 Communicating Extension to the Public

45:12 outro with logo.mp4

Zaworski, E. (Host) and Vann, R. (Interviewee). S5:E13 (Podcast). Cultivating Connections: Leading Extension Across Diverse Agricultural Systems. 7/8/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this epsiode Ed, Maddle Henrickson and Zach Schum talk fireflies just in time for the the 4th! In this episode we talk firefly basics and speculate on recent firefly news.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Sebastian Eves-van den Akker of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. They discuss how Sebastian and his lab are using tech such a machine learning and 3d printing to gather data regarding plant parasitic nematodes.

Additional Resources

List of Contributors:

Siyuan Wei, Jie Zhou, Olaf Prosper Kranse, Unnati Sonawala, Gang Sun, Ziyang He, Beatrice Senatori, Clement Pellegrin, Andrea Díaz-Tendero Bravo, Roberta Healey, Victor Hugo Moura de Souza, Vincent C.T. Hanlon, George Harpum, Tithira Wijayathilake, Adela Gaja Jezierska-Suwinska, Anika Damm, Kerry VerMeulen, Thomas Baum, Lida Derevnina, Ji Zhou, Sebastian Eves-van den Akker.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Background of the Speaker

02:45 Sebastian's Journey into Plant Sciences

05:43 Exploring Nematodes and Their Impact

08:54 Research Focus: Cyst Nematodes and Their Mechanisms

11:40 Drivers of Nematode Research in the UK

14:34 Innovative Methods in Nematode Research

17:47 High-Throughput Imaging and AI in Research

20:31 Logistics of Large-Scale Experiments

24:28 The Greenhouse Imaging Project

26:48 The Challenges of Lab Work

29:57 Designing the Imaging Machine

33:14 Collaborative Engineering in the Lab

36:23 AI and Nematode Detection

42:08 Building Growth Curves from Data

43:51 Nematode Interactions: Cooperation or Competition?

45:47 Genetic Screening for Nematode Traits

49:29 Future Directions: AI and Nematode Research

51:54 Innovations in Screening Technology

55:36 Communication Between Plants and Animals

56:28 Advancements in Nematode Management

01:00:26 Understanding Nematodes as Orphan Diseases

01:07:50 outro with logo.mp4

Zaworski, E. (Host) and Eves-van den Akker, S. (Interviewee). S5:E12 (Podcast). Seeing the Unseen: New Technologies for Studying Plant-Parasitic Nematodes. 6/17/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Tom wolf of Agrimetrix research and training. They discuss spray drones past, current and future, with regards to agriculture.

Additional Resources

https://sprayers101.com/about/

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to Spray Drones and Pesticide Applications

00:55 Who Operates the Drones?

01:17 Challenges of Pesticide Application with Drones

11:10 Practical Applications and Future of Drone Technology

14:37 The Evolution of Drone Technology in Agriculture

19:01 Challenges and Limitations of Drone Spraying

25:05 Cost vs. Efficiency: The Drone Dilemma

30:04 Future Prospects of Spray Drones

36:58 Key Takeaways for Farmers on Drone Usage

44:08 outro with logo.mp4

Zaworski, E. (Host) and Wolf, T. (Interviewee). S5:E10 (Podcast). Attack of the Spray Drones! Part 2. 6/10/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Tom wolf of Agrimetrix research and training. They discuss spray drones past, current and future, with regards to agriculture.

Additional Resources

https://sprayers101.com/about/

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to Spray Drones and Pesticide Applications

02:21 Tom Wolf's Journey into Plant Sciences

10:28 Understanding Drones: Basics and Types

14:24 The Evolving Drone Market and Manufacturers

18:32 The Technological Advancements in Spray Drones

19:41 The Evolution of Drone Design and Functionality

23:54 Understanding Swath Width and Its Variables

26:32 Challenges in Standardizing Drone Operations

31:44 Understanding the Complexity of Drone Applications

35:15 Training and Certification in Drone Usage

39:30 Who Operates the Drones?

47:05 outro with logo.mp4

Zaworski, E. (Host) and Wolf, T. (Interviewee). S5:E10 (Podcast). Attack of the Spray Drones! Part 1. 6/3/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. David Shapiro-Ilan of the USDA-ARS. They discuss the work of David's lab using entomopathogenic nematodes as a form of biocontrol.

Additional Resources

https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=411611

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to Entomopathogenic Nematodes

03:21 Life Cycle and Mechanism of Action

06:19 Host Specificity and Target Insects

09:15 Applications in Agriculture

12:04 Production and Formulation of Nematodes

14:55 Cost and Economic Considerations

17:37 Future of Entomopathogenic Nematodes

20:37 Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts

28:53 outro with logo

Zaworski, E. (Host) and Shapiro-Ilan, D. (Interviewee). S5:E9 (Podcast). Nematode Allies: Exploring Entomopathogenic Nematodes. 5/27/2026. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript