Haley A. Catton, Ph.D.

Research Scientist - Field Crop Entomology

- Plant-insect interactions

- Population biology

- Insect ecology

- Biological control

- Integrated pest management

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Lethbridge, Alberta

Current research and/or projects

- Dynamic action thresholds for cereal leaf beetle

- Managing wireworms in southern Alberta wheat fields with crop rotations and beneficial insects

- Historical distributions of wheat stem sawfly

- IPM tools for wireworms in potatoes

- Integrating multiple beneficial managements practices in organic cropping systems: soil health, weed and insect interactions

Research and/or project statements

Damage from pest insects can reduce yield or even devastate crop yields. Control methods such as insecticide can kill pest insects, but also harm the many beneficial predacious insects that provide free and natural pest control. My research program contributes to sustainable crop production through reducing losses to pest damage and lowering input (pesticide) costs. Integrated pest management techniques are achieved through studying basic pest biology, identifying threshold levels of pest abundance that warrant insecticide use, understanding how and when beneficial insects contribute to pest control, understanding how agronomy affects insect communities, and working with plant breeders to develop insect resistant crop varieties.

Education and awards

Ph.D. (Biology) - University of British Columbia Okanagan

M.Sc. (Plant Science) - University of Manitoba

B.Sc. (Agriculture - Plant Systems), with Distinction - University of Manitoba

International experience and/or work

Visiting Researcher, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 2010

Key publications

Catton, H.A., Lalonde, R.G., and De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2013). "Spatial utilization patterns by the weed biocontrol weevil, Mogulones crucifer, differ between target and non-target plants.", Canadian Society of Ecology and Evolution Annual Meeting, Kelowna, BC, Canada, May 12-15, 2013.
2013 - View publication details
Catton, H.A., De Clerck-Floate, R.A., and Lalonde, R.G. (2012). "Houndstongue, biocontrol and nontarget attack.", South Okanagan-Similkameen Invasive Plant Society (SOSIPS) Annual General Meeting, Penticton, BC, Canada, April 10, 2012. (Abstract)
2012 - View publication details
Catton, H.A., Lalonde, R.G., and De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2012). "Patch-level nontarget attack by the biocontrol weevil Mogulones crucifer: A temporary spillover effect requiring host plant presence?", Ecological Society of America (ESA 2012) 97th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR, USA, August 5-10, 2012. (Abstract)
2012 - View publication details
Catton, H.A., Lalonde, R., and De Clerck-Floate, R.A. (2008). "Effects of non-target feeding by Mogulones cruciger on houndstongue and other members of the borage family in BC rangelands.", International Research Forum on Invasive Plants: Current Projects and Future Trends, Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel, Richmond, BC, Canada, October 29-30, 2008.
2008 - View publication details