Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences [Dept. of Entomology]

George C. Hamilton

George C. Hamilton

email: hamilton@aesop.rutgers.edu

Pest Management Office

Abstract: My research interests are in the area of implementing integrated pest management programs and the examination of pesticide usage patterns in New Jersey. These interests led to the implementation of an IPM program in eggplant.  Current research interests include conservation biological control as it pertains to ornamental insect pests and studying the biology, ecology and management of the recently introduced brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Ståhl).  

Research Projects

  • Implementation of alternative methods to control insect pests
  • Influence of flowering plants on the retention of natural enemies
  • Assessment of the pesticides used by agriculture in New Jersey.
  • Ecology and management of Halyomorpha halys.

Recent Publications
  • Borjan, M., Meyer, R., Brown, G.C. Hamilton, G. and Robson, M.G. Accepted.  Trends Indicated by the New Jersey Pesticide Use Survey.  Outlooks on Pest Management
  • Gregory, P. C. Hamilton and M. Robson. Accepted. Vulnerability Assessment of New Jersey's Food Supply to Bioterrorism Threats:  The New Jersey IMPORT Project.  New Solutions.
  • Gregory, P. . C. Hamilton and M. Robson. 2005. The role of cooperative extension in homeland security.  American Entomologist 51: 134-137
  • Matadha, D., G.C. Hamilton and J.H. Lashomb. 2005.  Ovipositional preferences and functional response of parasitoids of euonymus scale, Unapis euonymi (Comstock) and Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock) (Homoptera: Diaspidae).  Biological Control 32: 337-347.
  • Matadha, D., G.C. Hamilton and J.H. Lashomb. 2004. Effect of temperature on development, fecundity and life table parameters of Encarsia citrina Craw (Hymenoptera:Aphelinidae), a parasitoid of euonymus scale, Unaspis eunymi (Comstock) and Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock) (Homoptera: Diaspidiae). Environmental Entomology 33: 1185-1191.
  • Shrewsbury, P.M., J.H. Lashomb, G.C. Hamilton, J. Zhang, J.M. Patt and R.A. Casagrande. 2004. The influence of flowering plants on herbivore - natural enemy populations dynamics in ornamental landscapes. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 30: 23-33.
  • Brumfield, R.G., L.S. Martin, D. Polk and G. Hamilton. 2004. Costs of conventional versus low input peach production in the eastern United States.  Acta Horticulturae 638.
  • Anastov, A., P.W. Shearer and G. Hamilton.  2003.  Monitoring natural enemies of Grapholista molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in New Jersey peach orchards with two different pest management programs. Environmental Entomology 32: 780-788.
  • Matadha, D., G.C. Hamilton, M.G. Hughes and J.H. Lashomb. 2003.  Distribution of natural enemies of euonymus scale, Unapis euonymi (Comstock) (Homoptera: Diaspidae) in the state of New Jersey.  Environmental Entomology 32: 602-607.
  • Patt, J.M., S.C. Wainright, J. Dietrick, G.C. Hamilton, K. Bosley, D. Whittinghill, and J.H. Lashomb.  2003.  Assimilation of floral nutrients by predaceous insect larvae. Ecological Entomology 28  717-728.
  • Shearer, P. W., A. Atanassov, G. Hamilton and D. Polk.  2002.  Development and implementation of a reduced risk peach arthropod management program in New Jersey.  J. Economic Entomology 95: 803-812. 
  • Robson, M.G., G.C. Hamilton and G.O. Brachman. 2001. Case Study on Chronic Organophosphate Poisoning.  New Solutions 11:243-249.
  • Patt, J.M., G.C. Hamilton, and J.H. Lashomb.  1999.  Response of two parasitoid wasps to nectar odors as a function of experience. Entomol. Experimentalis Applicata 90: 1-8.
  • Hamilton, G.C., J. H. Lashomb, S. Arpaia, R. Chianese, and M. Mayer.  1998. Sequential sampling plans for Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in eggplant.  Environ. Entomol. 27: 33-38.
  • Jelenkovic, G., S. Billings, Q. Chen, J. Lashomb, G. Hamilton and G. Ghidiu. 1998. Transformation of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) with synthetic cryIIIA gene produces a high level of resistance to the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata [Say]).  J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 123: 19-25.
  • Dillard, H.R., S.A. Johnston, A.C. Cobb, and G.C. Hamilton.  1997.  An assessment of the fungicide benefits for the control of fungal diseases of processing tomatoes in New York and New Jersey.  Plant Disease 81:677-681.
  • Hamilton, G.C., G.L. Jelenkovic, J. H. Lashomb, G. Ghidiu, S. Billings, and J.M. Patt.  1997. Effectiveness of transgenic eggplant, Solanum melongena L. against the Colorado potato beetle.  Advances Hort. Science 11: 192-199.
  • Hamilton, G.C. and J.H. Lashomb.  1997.  Effect of insecticides on two predators of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).  Florida Entomologist 80:10-23.
  • Hamilton, G.C., J. H. Lashomb, and S. Arparia.  1997.  Development and usage of sequential sampling in an eggplant BCIPM program.  Advances Hort. Science 11:169-174.
  • Hamilton, G.C., Robson, M.R. Ghidiu, R. Samulis and E. Prostko.  1997.  IPM by 2000: A case study from New Jersey.  American Entomologist 43: 74-78.
  • Patt, J.M., G.C. Hamilton, and J.H. Lashomb.  1997.  Foraging success of parasitoid wasps on flowers: Interplay of inset morphology, floral architecture and searching behavior.  Entomol. Experimentalis Applicata 83: 21-30.
  • Patt, J.M., J.H. Lashomb, and G.C. Hamilton.  1997.  Impact of strip-insectary interplanting with flowers on conservation biological control of the Colorado potato beetle.   Advances Hort. Science 11: 175-181.
  • Vasquez, B.L., J.H. Lashomb, and G. C. Hamilton.  1997.  Alighting rate of the parasitoid Edovum puttleri Grissell (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in response to colors mimicking three foodplants of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).  J. of Entomol. Sci. 32: 386-397.
  • Arparia, S., J.H. Lashomb, G.C. Hamilton, and K. Vail. 1996. Consumption of eggplant foliage by Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J. Entomol. Sci. 31: 191-198
  • Hamilton, G.C., and J. H. Lashomb. 1996. Comparison of conventional and biological control intensive pest management programs on eggplant in New Jersey.  Florida Entomologist 79: 488-496.
  • Hamilton, G.C., J.H. Lashomb and J. Patt.  1996.  Impact of selected insecticides used in eggplant production on Edovum puttleri Grissell (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).  J. Entomol. Sci. 31: 432-439.
  • Ghidiu, G.M., G.C. Hamilton, and G.W.  Kirfman.  1994.  Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. tenebrionis sprays affect hatching of Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) eggs and subsequent larval dispersal.  J. Econ. Entomol. 87: 1298-1301.

Recent Awards

  • Rutgers University - Graduate School. Rutgers University Alumni Award for Distinguished Accomplishments - Biological Sciences.  2005. 
  • Association of Natural Resource Education Professionals (ANREP):     "Computer Graphics" Category.  "Wanted: Asian Longhorned Beetle" CDROM.  2004. 
  • Agricultural Agents Association of New Jersey.  Communication Award (Learning Module Category).  "Wanted: Asian Longhorned Beetle" CDROM.  2004.
  • National Association for County Agricultural Agents Communications Award for best "Home Page. 2003
  • Rutgers Cooperative Extension Team Award for "Vegetable Working Group". 2001. Rutgers University.
  • Rutgers Cooperative Extension Team Award for "If Plants Could Talk PBS Television Show." 2000. Rutgers University.
  • Telly Award for "An American farm tale: Chronic organophosphate exposure - The Rea family farm case study videotape". 2000. 22nd Annual Telly Awards Honoring Outstanding Television Commercials, Video Productions and Films.
  • "Specialist of the Year" Award. 1999. Department of Agriculture and Resource Management Agents.
  • Certificate of Appreciation. 1999. United States Department of Agriculture
  • Certificate of Appreciation. 1996. United States Department of Agriculture
  • NJAA "Man of the Year" Award. 1996. New Jersey Agribusiness Association.
  • Certificate of Achievement. Section E Outstanding Presented Paper. 1995. Entomological Society of America.
  • American Society for Horticultural Science Extension Educational Aids Award. 1994. American Society for Horticultural Science.
  • Pesticide Association of New Jersey Award for Outstanding Contributions to Pesticide Education. 1993. Pesticide Association of New Jersey.

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