Previous research has shown that with the proper conditions Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) is capable of of long distance migrations. During the cool winter fall armyworm populations are restricted to south Florida and southern Texas. However, as winter stretches into spring and summer these pests are capable of migrating great distances. The problem for growers is the timing of this migration coincides with the corn growing season, one of the fall armyworm's preferred hosts. As a Biological Sciences Technician in Dr. Rob Meagher's lab I catalogued fall armyworm specimens, helped to plan and execute field experiments, and so much more. Here are just a sample of the type of work I did with Dr. Meagher.
