Justin Renkema, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Applied entomologist conducting research on biological, chemical and cultural practices for improving management of pests in fruit crops

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

London Research and Development Centre - Vineland

Current research and/or projects

I conduct research on the ecology and biology of economically important insects and mites in fruit crops, with the goal of improving pest management through a better understanding of how to integrate biological, cultural, physical, and chemical control methods.

Research and/or project statements

Improving cyclamen mite management in strawberry with molecular monitoring tools, transplant steam treatment, new miticides and biopesticides and cultivar resistance.
Determining hemipteran vectors of grapevine red blotch virus in Ontario vineyards
Determining leafhopper, parasitoid and their host plant associations in vineyards
Developing a molecular monitoring tool for spotted wing drosophila
Determining repellent effects of sweet alyssum flower volatiles on spotted wing drosophila, and the potential for supporting natural enemies with sweet alyssum plantings in berry crops
Eliminating oriental fruit moth on fruit tree nursery stock using hot water treatments
Determining predation and parasitism rates of oriental fruit moth in fruit orchards
Improving apple leaf curling midge and leafroller monitoring in apple orchards
Investigating ambrosia beetle communities and fungal associations in tender fruit and apple orchards

Education and awards

Ph.D. Biology, Dalhousie University, 2011

M.Sc. Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, 2004

B.Sc. (Hons.) Biology, Redeemer University College, 2002

International experience and/or work

Current international collaborative projects:

Remote sensing of spider mite damage in strawberry (University of Florida)
Using flowering plant strips to attract beneficial insects and reduce thrips in strawberry and fruiting vegetables (University of Florida)

Additional links

For a full list of publications, please see my Google Scholar and ResearchGate profiles:

https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=_S_acY4AAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Justin_Renkema

Key publications

Talton, H.R., Rhodes, E.M., Chase, C.A., Swisher, M.E., Renkema, J.M., Liburd, O.E. (2020). Effect of cultural practices on neopamera bilobata in relation to fruit injury and marketable yields in organic strawberries. Insects, [online] 11(12), 1-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects11120843
2020 - View publication details
Laprise, M., Renkema, J. & Parent J.-P. 2019. I spy Hemipterans: Assessing the biodiversity of insects in Niagara vineyards. Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Niagara, ON, Canada. 20-21 February 2019.
2019 - View publication details
Renkema, J.M., Cutler, G.C., Lynch, D.H., Mackenzie, K., Walde, S.J. (2016). Organic mulches in highbush blueberries alter beetle (Coleoptera) community composition and improve functional group abundance and diversity. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, [online] 18(2), 119-127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/afe.12144
2016 - View publication details
Renkema, J.M., Telfer, Z., Gariepy, T., Hallett, R.H. (2015). Dalotia coriaria as a predator of Drosophila suzukii: Functional responses, reduced fruit infestation and molecular diagnostics. Biological Control, [online] 89 1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2015.04.024
2015 - View publication details
Renkema, J.M., Cutler, G.C., Gaul, S.O. (2014). Field type, trap type and field-edge characteristics affect Rhagoletis mendax captures in lowbush blueberries. Pest Management Science, [online] 70(11), 1720-1727. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ps.3714
2014 - View publication details
Renkema, J.M., Lynch, D.H., Cutler, G.C., MacKenzie, K., Walde, S.J. (2012). Ground and rove beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae and Staphylinidae) are affected by mulches and weeds in highbush blueberries. Environmental Entomology, [online] 41(5), 1097-1106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EN12122
2012 - View publication details
Renkema, J.M., Lynch, D.H., Cutler, G.C., MacKenzie, K., Walde, S.J. (2012). Emergence of blueberry maggot flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) from mulches and soil at various depths. Environmental Entomology, [online] 41(2), 370-376. http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/EN11200
2012 - View publication details
Renkema, J.M., Lynch, D.H., Cutler, G.C., MacKenzie, K., Walde, S.J. (2012). Predation by Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) on immature Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae) in semi-field and field conditions. Biological Control, [online] 60(1), 46-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2011.10.004
2012 - View publication details
Renkema, J.M., Cutler, G.C., Lynch, D.H., MacKenzie, K., Walde, S.J. (2011). Mulch type and moisture level affect pupation depth of Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the laboratory. Journal of Pest Science, [online] 84(3), 281-287. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10340-011-0365-2
2011 - View publication details