dgp98visa.jpg Douglas G. Pfeiffer
Professor
Department of Entomology
205C Price Hall
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0319
Ph. (540) 231-4183

Fax (540) 231-9131

Departmental bio page

dgpfeiff at vt.edu

General Areas of Interest

Dr. Pfeiffer is interested in integrated pest management in tree fruit, vineyard and small fruit systems. In recent years, research has centered in two areas of activity, mating disruption for lepidopteran pests, and insect/plant interactions. In orchards, mating disruption has been used against codling moth, the leafroller complex, dogwood borer, lesser peachtree borer and oriental fruit moth. In vineyards, this approach was used for grape berry moth. Interactions between pests and host plants has been used to help develop economic injury levels for European red mite, spirea and apple aphids, and white apple leafhopper on apple, and Japanese beetle and European red mite on grape. Dr. Pfeiffer is also interested in biogeography of the strains of plum curculio.  Dr. Pfeiffer is the director of the college's on-line Masters of Agriculture and Life Sciences curriculum. (see 2009-2010 Extended Campus tuition rates)

Regional Web Site for Tree Fruit and Small Fruit Information:

Visit the Virginia Fruit Web Site, a source of multi-disciplinary information relating to fruit crops

Eastern Branch Site

Visit the Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America.

Education

Selected Publications

Books Шестопал, Г., i Д. Файфер.  2008. Яблуня – Комерцiйна Культура в Україна. [Shestopal, G., and D. Pfeiffer. 2008.  Apple - A Commercial Crop for Ukraine.]  Triada-Plus Publ., L'viv, Ukraine.  256 p.  20 pls. [in Ukrainian]

Tedeschini, J., B. Stamo and D. Pfeiffer. 2006. Menaxhimi i paraziteve ne ullishtet organike.  [Biological management in organic olive production.]  Plant Protection Institute. Durrës, Albania. [in Albanian]

Tedeschini, J., B. Stamo and D. Pfeiffer. 2005. Menaxhimi i integruar i paraziteve te ullirit.  [Integrated and biological management in olive.]  Plant Protection Institute. Durres, Albania. [in Albanian]

Шестопал, З. А., Д. Г. Файфер i Г. С. Шестопал.  1999. Довiдник з iнтегрованого захисту плодово-ягiдних культур вiд шкiдникiв i хвороб. [Shestopal, Z. A., D. G. Pfeiffer and G. C. Shestopal. Integrated pest management for orchards and small fruit crops.]  Kyiv Horticultural Institute. L'viv, Ukraine. [in Ukrainian]

Book Chapters

Pfeiffer, D. G., J. Tedeschini, L. Daku, M. Hasani, R. Uka, B. Stamo and B. Ferraj.  2005. Developing IPM packages in eastern Europe: Participatory IPM research in Albanian olives. p. 121-139 p.  In G. W. Norton, E.A. Heinrichs, G. C. Luther, M. E. Irwin. (eds.) Globalizing Integrated Pest Management. Blackwell, Oxford UK.

Pfeiffer, D. G. 2000. Selective insecticides. p. 131-144. In J. E. Rechcigl and N. A. Rechcigl (eds). Integrated Pest Management: Techniques for Environmental Protection. Lewis.

Pfeiffer, D. G. 1997. Deciduous fruit trees. p. 293-322. In: Y. Ben-Dov & C. J. Hodgson (eds.) Soft Scale Insects: Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control. World Crop Pests, vol 7B. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Papers Published in Refereed Journals (* denotes graduate student)

Zhang, X.*, and D. G. Pfeiffer.  2008. Evaluation of reproductive incompatibility of interstrain mating among plum curculio populations in the eastern United States.  Environ. Entomol. 37: 1208-1213.

Zhang, X.*, J. Tu, S. Luckhart and D. G. Pfeiffer.  2008. Genetic diversity of plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) among geographical populations in the eastern United States. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 101: 824-832.

Hitchner, E. M.*, T. P. Kuhar, J. C. Dickens, R. R.Youngman, P. B. Schultz and D. G. Pfeiffer.  2008.  Host plant choice experiments of Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Virginia.  J. Econ. Entomol.  101: 859-865.

Lim, G. T.
*, L. G. Kirton, S. M. Salom, L. T. Kok, R. D. Fell and D. G. Pfeiffer.  2008.  Host plants and associated trophobionts of the weaver ants Oecophylla spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources.

Lim, G. T.
*, L. G. Kirton, S. M. Salom, L.T. Kok, R.D. Fell and D.G. Pfeiffer.  2008.  Mahogany shoot borer control in Malaysia and prospects for biocontrol using weaver ants.  J. Trop. For. Sci. 20: 147-155.

Gronning, E. K.,
* and D. G. Pfeiffer. 2007.  Ground beetle assemblages in Virginia apple orchards receiving pheromone-based or conventional tortricid management programs. J. Entomol. Sci. 42: 501-516.

Pfeiffer, D. G., and K. Love.  2007.  Handheld applications in fruit extension delivery. J. Extension 45 (5): Article Number 5TOT6

Wallingford
, A. K.*, S. A. Tolin, A. L. Myers, T. K. Wolf and D. G. Pfeiffer.  2007. Expansion of the range of Pierce's disease in Virginia.  Plant Health Progress. Online. Plant Health Progress doi:10.1094/PHP-2007-1004-01-BR.

Bergh, J. C., D. G. Pfeiffer and K. Love.  2005.  Survey of grape root borer, Vitacea polistiformis (Harris), using pheromone traps in Virginia vineyards. J. Entomol. Sci. 40: 337-342.

McClanan, M. E.*, S. Luckhart and D. G. Pfeiffer.  2004.  Use of random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) to differentiate populations of plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst). J. Entomol. Sci.  39: 117-121.

McClanan, M. E.*, S. Luckhart and D. G. Pfeiffer.  2004.  Wolbachia strains associated with univoltine and multivoltine plum curculios.  J. Entomol. Sci. 39: 132-135

Metzger, J. A.* and D. G. Pfeiffer.  2002.  Topical toxicity of pesticides used in Virginia vineyards to the predatory mite, Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman).  J. Entomol. Sci. 37: 329-337.

Gronning, E. K.*, D. M. Borchert*, D. G. Pfeiffer, C. M. Felland, J. F. Walgenbach, L. A. Hull and J. C. Killian. 2000. Effect of specific and generic pheromone blends on captures in pheromone traps by four leafroller species in mid-Atlantic apple orchards. J. Econ. Entomol. 93: 157-164.

Pfeiffer, D. G., J. C. Killian and K. S. Yoder. 1999. Clarifying the roles of white apple leafhopper and potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) in fire blight transmission in apple. J. Entomol. Sci. 34: 314-321.

Pfeiffer, D. G. and J. C. Killian. 1999. Dogwood borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) flight activity and an attempt to control damage in `Gala' apples using mating disruption. J. Entomol. Sci. 34: 210-218

Welker, R. M.*, R. P. Marini and D. G. Pfeiffer. 1996. Ultrastructural and surface features of apple leaves following white apple leafhopper feeding. HortScience 31: 249-251.

Welker, R. M.*, R. P. Marini and D. G. Pfeiffer. 1995. Influence of first-generation white apple leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) and leaf-to-fruit ratio on apple fruit size and quality. J. Econ. Entomol. 88: 959-964.

Pfeiffer, D. G. and E. K. Gronning*. 1995. Spotted fireworm (Lepidoptera:Tortricidae) in variegated leafroller pheromone traps, and its orientation to traps in variegated leafroller pheromone-permeated orchards. J. Agric. Entomol. 12: 21-24.

Marini, R. P., D. G. Pfeiffer and D. S. Sowers. 1994. Influence of European red mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) and crop density on fruit size and quality and on crop value of `Delicious' apples. J. Econ. Entomol. 87: 1302-1311.

Kaakeh, W.*, D. G. Pfeiffer and R. P. Marini. 1993. Effect of Aphis spiraecola and Aphis pomi (Homoptera: Aphididae) on the growth of young apple trees. Crop Protect. 12: 141-147.

Pfeiffer, D. G., W. Kaakeh, J. C. Killian, M. W. Lachance and P. Kirsch. 1993. Mating disruption to control damage by leafrollers in Virginia apple orchards. Entomol. Exp. Applic. 67: 47-56.

Pfeiffer, D. G., W. Kaakeh, J. C. Killian, M. W. Lachance and P. Kirsch. 1993. Mating disruption for control of damage by codling moth in Virginia apple orchards. Entomol. Exp. Applic. 67: 57-64.

Kaakeh, W.*, D. G. Pfeiffer and R. P. Marini. 1992. Combined effects of spirea aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) and nitrogen fertilization on net photosynthesis, total chlorophyll content, and greenness of apple leaves. J. Econ. Entomol. 85: 939-946.

Kaakeh, W.*, D. G. Pfeiffer and R. P. Marini. 1992. Combined effects of spirea aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) and nitrogen fertilization on shoot growth, dry matter accumulation, and carbohydrate concentration in young apple trees. J. Econ. Entomol. 85: 496-506.

Despins, J. L.*, E. C. Turner and D. G. Pfeiffer.  1991.  Evaluation of methods to protect poultry house insulation from infestations by lesser mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).  J. Agric. Entomol. 8: 209-217.

Pfeiffer, D. G., J. C. Killian, E. G. Rajotte, L. A. Hull and J. W. Snow. 1991. Mating disruption for reduction of damage by lesser peachtree borer (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) in Virginia and Pennsylvania peach orchards. J. Econ. Entomol. 84: 218-223.

Campbell, R. J. , K. N. Mobley, R. P. Marini and D. G. Pfeiffer.  1990.  Growing conditions alter the relationship between SPAD-501 values and apple leaf chlorophyll.  HortScience 25: 330-331.

Varn, M.* and D. G. Pfeiffer. 1989. Effect of rosy apple aphid and spirea aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on dry matter accumulation and carbohydrate concentration in young apple trees. J. Econ. Entomol. 82: 565-569.

Boucher, T. J.* and D. G. Pfeiffer. 1989. Influence of Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) foliar feeding on `Seyval Blanc' grapevines in Virginia. J. Econ. Entomol. 82: 220-225.

Pfeiffer, D. G., M. W. Brown and M. W. Varn*. 1989. Incidence of spirea aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) in apple orchards in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. J. Entomol. Sci. 24: 145-149.

Pfeiffer, D. G. and J. C. Killian. 1988. Disruption of olfactory communication in oriental fruit moth and lesser appleworm in  Virginia peach orchard. J. Agric. Entomol. 5: 235-239.

Boucher, T. J.*, D. G. Pfeiffer, J. A. Barden and J. M. Williams. 1987. Effects of simulated insect injury on net photosynthesis of potted grapevines. HortScience 22: 927-928.

Pfeiffer, D. G. and S. W. Pfeiffer. 1986. Relative susceptibility to slide-dip application of cyhexatin in three populations of Panonychus ulmi (Koch) in Virginia apple orchards. J. Agric. Entomol. 3: 326-328.

Pfeiffer, D. G. 1986. Effects of field applications of paraquat on densities of Panonychus ulmi (Koch) and Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman). J. Agric. Entomol. 3: 322-325.

Pfeiffer, D. G.  1986.  Arytainilla spartiophila (Foerster) (Homoptera: Psyllidae) on Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link in Virginia: First record in eastern North America.  J. Entomol. Sci. 21: 214-218.

Pfeiffer, D. G.  1985.  Toxicity of avermectin B1 to San Jose scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) crawlers, and effects on orchard mites by crawler sprays versus full-season applications.  J. Econ. Entomol. 78: 1421-1424.

Pfeiffer, D. G.  1985.  Pheromone trapping of males and prediction of crawler emergence for San Jose scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae) in Virginia apple orchards.  J. Entomol. Sci. 20: 351-353.

Pfeiffer, D. G. and E. C. Burts.  1984.  Effect of tree fertilization on protein and free amino acid content and feeding rate of pear psylla (Homoptera: Psyllidae).  Environ. Entomol. 13: 1487-1490.

Pfeiffer, D. G. and E. C. Burts.  1983.  Effect of tree fertilization on numbers and development of pear psylla (Homoptera: Psyllidae), and on fruit damage.  Environ. Entomol. 12: 895-901.

Pfeiffer, D. G. and R. C. Axtell.  1980.  Coleoptera of poultry manure in caged-layer houses in North Carolina.  Environ. Entomol. 9: 21-28.

Gentile, A. G., A. W. Vaughan and D. G. Pfeiffer.  1978.  Cucumber pollen germination and tube elongation inhibited or reduced by pesticides and adjuvants.  Environ. Entomol. 7: 689-691.

Hagedorn, H. H., S. Turner, E. A. Hagedorn, D. Pontecorvo, P. Greenbaum, D. Pfeiffer, G. Wheelock and T. R. Flanagan.  1977.  Postemergence growth of the ovarian follicles of Aedes aegypti.  J. Insect Physiol. 23: 203-206.

Manuals

Hull, L. A., D. G. Pfeiffer and D. J. Biddinger. 1995. Apple - Direct pests. p. 5-17. In: H. W. Hogmire (ed.). 1995. Mid-Atlantic Orchard Monitoring Guide. Northeast Regional Agric. Engineer. Serv. Publ. 75, Ithaca. 361 p.

Pfeiffer, D. G. and H. W. Hogmire. 1995. Aphid predators. p. 75-80. In: H. W. Hogmire (ed.). 1995. Mid-Atlantic Orchard Monitoring Guide. Northeast Regional Agric. Engineer. Serv. Publ. 75, Ithaca. 361 p.

Pfeiffer, D. G. and R. L. Horsburgh. 1995. Pear - Indirect pests. p. 45-49. In: H. W. Hogmire (ed.). 1995. Mid-Atlantic Orchard Monitoring Guide. Northeast Regional Agric. Engineer. Serv. Publ. 75, Ithaca. 361 p.

Pfeiffer, D. G., L. A. Hull, D. J. Biddinger and J. C. Killian. 1995. Apple - Indirect pests. p. 18-43. In: H. W. Hogmire (ed.). 1995. Mid-Atlantic Orchard Monitoring Guide. Northeast Regional Agric. Engineer. Serv. Publ. 75, Ithaca. 361 p.

 Pfeiffer, D. G. 1996. Applications of pheromone technology to pests in small fruit in the Northeast. p. 11-17. In C. Hollingsworth (ed). Implementing Pheromone Technology in the Northeast. Northeast Regional Agric. Engineer. Serv. Publ. 83, Ithaca. 65 p.

Extension Publications

Pfeiffer, D. G. (Bulletin Coordinator since 1988), J. C. Bergh, R. D. Fell, H. W. Hogmire, C. R. R. Hooks, R. Yuan, C. S. Walsh, K. S. Yoder, A. R. Biggs, J. B. Kotcon, A. DeMarsay, J. F. Derr, R. S. Chandran, M. J. Weaver, J. F. Baniecki, A. Brown and J. Parkhurst.  2009. 2009 Spray Bulletin for Commercial Tree Fruit Growers. Va. Coop. Ext. Publ. 456-419. (A regional publication between Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland; hard copy $12.60, Extension Distribution Center)

Pfeiffer, D. G., K. S. Yoder and C. Bergh. 2009. Commercial Small Fruits: Disease and Insects. p. 2-1 - 2-14 In: 2009 Pest Management Guide for Horticultural and Forest Crops. Va. Coop. Ext. Pub. 456-017. (hard copy $6.00 plus $5.27 shipping for individual copies, Extension Distribution Center))

Pfeiffer, D. G., A. B. Baudoin and J. C. Bergh. 2009. Grapes: Diseases, Insects, and Weeds. p. 3-1 - 3-14. In: 2009 Pest Management Guide for Horticultural and Forest Crops. Va. Coop. Ext. Pub. 456-017. (hard copy $6.00 plus $5.27 shipping for individual copies, Extension Distribution Center))

Yoder, K. S., D. G. Pfeiffer and J. C. Bergh. 2009. Home Fruit: Diseases and Insects. p. 3-1 - 3-24. In: 2009 Pest Management Guide for Home Grounds and Animals. Va. Coop. Ext. Pub. 456-018. (hard copy $5.00 plus $5.27 shipping for individual copies, Extension Distribution Center))

Majek, B., P. Oudemans, D. Pfeiffer and D. Ward.  2009.  Commercial grape pest control recommendations for New Jersey, 2009.  Rutgers Coop. Ext. Publ E283.

Teaching Activities

Entomology 4254, "Insect Pest Management". Undergraduate.  Spring semesters, starting in 2004. 3 cr.  (Spring 2009: CRN 12897 with Monday lab; CRN 12896 with Wednesday lab)

Entomology 5234, "Managing Arthropod Pests". Graduate. On-line.  Spring semesters, even years. Summer, second session. 3 cr.
(CRN Summer II 2009: 71219)

Entomology 5214, "Arthropod Pest Management". Graduate.  Fall semesters, even years, starting in 2004. 3 cr. (CRN Fall 2008: 96516)

Entomology 5114, "Insect Structure and Function". Fall semesters, odd years, starting in 1995. 3 cr.

On-line Masters of Agriculture and Life Sciences, director and instructor for Entomology 5234 Managing Arthropod Pests (see 2007-2008 Extended Campus tuition rates) (Public Introduction and Student Orientation)

International Activities

Site chair for Eastern Europe in Integrated Pest Management Collaboratiave Research Support Program (IPM CRSP), involving high value horticulture crops in Albania, Moldova and Ukraine. South Asian and West African sites under construction.

Participatory Appraisal Team for IPM CRSP in Albania, July 1998. Further trips for development of research projects October 1999, April and November 2000. (See Albanian IPM CRSP web site)

Teaching team on project for "Pest and Pesticide Management" in Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv oblasts in Ukraine , March 1997. Trips for production of IPM textbook Jan. and June 1999.

Participation in International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants, West Palearctic Regional Section (IOBC-WPRS), Scents in Orchards: Symposium on Plant and Insect Semiochemicals from Orchard Environments, Dachau Germany, September 1998.

Participation in International Congress of Entomology, Symposium on Mating Disruption for Sustainable Production of Fruit Crops, held at Iguassu Falls, Brazil. August 2000.

Participation in International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants, West Palearctic Regional Section (IOBC-WPRS), Pheromones and Other Semiochemicals in Integrated Control, Erice, Sicily, Italy, September 2002.

Participation in International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants, West Palearctic Regional Section (IOBC-WPRS), Joint meeting of Integrated Fruit Production and Pheromones and Other Semiochemicals in Integrated Control Working Groups.  Baselga di Piné, Trentino, Italy, September 2004.

Graduate Students

Honor Societies