Fei Yang
About Fei:
Dr. Fei Yang is the assistant professor and Corn Extension Entomologist in the Department of Entomology at the University of Minnesota since May 2023. Dr. Yang received his Ph.D. in Entomology in 2014 at the Louisiana State University. Dr. Yang is a well-trained and competent field entomologist who has a special set of skills, knowledge, and abilities in row crop pest management, insect ecology, insect behavior, and insecticide resistance management. Dr. Yang has conducted both basic and applied research to generate scientific data to support the sustainable use of Bt crop technologies for pest management in the U.S. for >14 years. Dr. Yang has also been active in Extension services with growers, Extension Specialists and IPM Agents through field days and Extension meetings. Dr. Yang has an excellent record of scholarship with 54 peer-reviewed publications and > $4 million in grants from federal, state and industry agencies. His research and Extension program at the UMN focus on biology, ecology, integrated pest management and insecticide resistance management of some major corn insect pests, such as European corn borer and corn rootworm, to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of corn production through integrated pest management strategies.
About Fei's Presentation:
Research update on corn insect pests
Thursday, December 4
9-9:50 a.m. and 10:30-11:20 a.m.
Marquette IV-VII
Corn plants are vulnerable to attack and damage from a wide range of insect pests throughout their growth and development. Among these, the most economically important and destructive species are typically divided into two main groups: above-ground lepidopteran pests, such as corn borers, and below-ground coleopteran pests, such as corn rootworms. In Minnesota, corn borers and rootworms remain the two primary insect pests causing significant yield losses and management challenges. In recent years, however, climate change and shifting weather patterns have contributed to the arrival of new invasive insect species in Minnesota corn fields. These emerging pests may pose additional threats to corn production and may require new monitoring and management strategies. In this presentation, we will discuss several new insect pests observed in Minnesota corn fields during 2024-2025, the emergence of Bt resistance in corn borer populations, and recent findings on the cold tolerance and rotation resistance of western and northern corn rootworm populations. Together, these topics highlight the evolving challenges of insect pest management in Minnesota corn production systems.