VA Tech Eastern Shore AREC Entomology

06/11/2026

Throwback Thursday: Northampton County's Agricultural Roots
For over 400 years, Northampton County residents have lived and thrived on the bounty of nature. Agriculture and working waterfronts continue to be a staple of the Northampton County economy. Even today, the majority of the County’s land area consists of productive crop and forest land. Protecting the integrity of these working landscapes is vital to the long-term viability of family farms and the agriculture industry as a whole.
Photo~ Spraying to keep down blight and insect pests on a large potato farm, 1930
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY AGRICULTURE PHOTOGRAPHS
Courtesy collections of James C. Sturgis, and Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

06/10/2026

Entomology masters student, Sebastian Torres, is learning to use the cone planter today. He’s planting his sweet corn trials where he will be studying the efficacy of spray drone technology for corn earworm control.

06/09/2026

06/04/2026

Tomato transplants going in the ground for the 2026 season!

03/17/2026

Please join us in welcoming Casey King, the Entomology Research Specialist at the Eastern Shore AREC, working with Dr. Sutton’s program!

Originally from Berlin, Maryland, Casey is a proud Eastern Shore native who now calls Virginia’s Eastern Shore home. She is excited to collaborate with Virginia farmers and support the success of local agriculture.

We’re thrilled to have Casey on board—be sure to say hello if you see her out and about!

03/12/2026

03/12/2026

Congratulations to Dylan Raney, a masters student in our lab!

This past week Dylan presented his research on wireworm pest management at the Southeastern Branch meeting of the Entomological Society of America meeting in Hilton Head, South Carolina where he earned second place in the masters student oral presentation competition!

This was his first scientific talk. Great job Dylan!

02/19/2026

Giving Day!! Please consider donating and supporting the Eastern Shore AREC!! Scan the QR code and please share 🐛🚜

02/10/2026

Posting has been a bit quiet lately, but we’re excited to get back to regular updates and share more helpful information with y’all in 2026.

Dr. Kemper Sutton has been the Entomologist at the Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center since the 2025 season, where he works on research and outreach to help Virginia growers manage insect pests and improve crop production.

Kemper is looking forward to the 2026 season and encourages farmers to reach out anytime with concerns—he’s always glad to visit fields, offer support, and help find solutions.

10/19/2023

In an article published in the September edition of the open-access Journal of Integrated Pest Management, Post-Doctorate faculty member Dr. Lorena Lopez profiles Amblyseius swirskii and its biology, distribution, and various applications for biological control in IPM programs.
https://entomologytoday.org/2023/10/18/amblyseius-swirskii-predatory-mite-biological-control-integrated-pest-management/

The mite Amblyseius swirskii feeds on various insect and mite species, including many notorious pests of vegetable crops.