Lorraine Los is the Fruit Crops Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinator in the Plant Science Department at the University of Connecticut.  Since 1982, Lorraine has been responsible for the development and implementation of the Fruit IPM program in Connecticut.  The goal is to provide fruit growers with the scientific tools and knowledge to use the least amount of pesticides on the crops that they grow, while still achieving high yields and quality.

The Fruit IPM program includes in-field grower training, presentations at grower meetings, field demonstration projects, and preparation of technical bulletins and other Extension publications.  Lorraine also conducts applied research, especially related to insect monitoring methods and alternative (non-chemical) methods of pest management.  A new research project involves the use of insect pheromones as a mating disruption tool for the currant borer, a major pest of black currants.  Lorraine also maintains a network of weather stations in orchards throughout Connecticut to use for plant disease forecasting.

POSITIONS

1982 - present
Fruit Crops IPM Coordinator - University of Connecticut

1996 - 1997  
State IPM Co-Coordinator, University of Connecticut

1993 - 1996
Acting State IPM Program Leader, University of Connecticut

1979 - 1982
Graduate Research Assistant and Graduate Teaching Assistant, VPI & SU

1975 - 1979
Laboratory and Field Technician, Tree Fruit IPM, Department of Entomology, Rutgers University


EDUCATION

B.S.  Cook College, Rutgers University, Plant Science, 1976
M.S. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Entomology, 1982

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   EXTENSION PUBLICATIONS

Cooley, D., (editor), L. Los, (Pear chapter editor, entomology editor, contributor to stone fruit and apple chapters).  2008 New England Tree Fruit Pest Management Guide. 237 pp.

Cooley, D., (editor), L. Los, (Pear chapter editor, entomology editor, contributor to stone fruit and apple chapters).  2007 New England Tree Fruit Pest Management Guide.  244 pp.

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REFERRED PUBLICATIONS

Lamondia, J., R. Cowles and L. Los.  2005.  Prevalence and potential impact of soil-dwelling pests and insect pathogenic nematodes in strawberry fields.  HortScience 40(5):1366-1370.

Legrand, A. and L. Los. 2003.  Evaluation of visual traps for monitoring Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) and Lygocoris spp. in peach orchards.  Florida Entomologist.  Vol. 66:424-428

NEWSLETTER

Boucher, J. and L. Los (eds.). Crop Talk newsletter for commercial vegetable and fruit crops.  Subscription 850+.

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