(S4:E45) Blights Get Sick Too: Chestnut Blight and Hypovirulence
I See Dead Plants
In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Danielle Mikolajewski a postdoctoral candidate in the plant pathology department at the University of Florida. Ed and Danielle discuss some of Danielle’s Ph.D. research on chestnut blight and one of the methods being studied in attempt to bring back the American Chestnut; hypovirulence. Additional Resources Time Stamps (00:00) Introduction to ICDeadPlants Podcast (10:04) Journey into Plant Pathology (19:52) Understanding Chestnut Blight (30:01) Exploring Hypovirulence and Its Implications (30:30) The Super Donor Concept (34:25) Challenges and...
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(S4:E44) Boring Problems?: Managing the Dectes Stem Borer Part 2
I See Dead Plants
In this episode Ed interviews of South Dakota State University. They discuss Adam’s work with an emerging insect problem in soybeans, Sunflowers and other plants the dectes stem borer. Additional Resources https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/118/5/2338/8177282 Time Stamps (00:00) Introduction to I See Dead Plants Podcast (01:24) Understanding the Dectes Stem Borer (03:29) Historical Context and Pest Management Challenges (05:27) Larvae Behavior and Infestation Indicators (12:25) Crop Rotation and Trap Cropping Strategies (16:33) Non-Chemical Management Strategies (20:39) Future...
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(S1:E2) Alternate Hosts: Lack of Chestnuts on an Open Fire
I See Dead Plants
In this episode of Alternate Hosts Ed is Joined once again by to interview Dr. Danielle Mikolajewski, post-doctoral candidate at University of Florida. In order to get you into the holiday spirit they discuss the disease that whipped out the American Chestnut and left us all wondering what chestnuts roasting on an open fire may have been like. Thanks for listening and Happy Holidays!
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(S4:E43) Boring Problems?: Managing the Dectes Stem Borer Part 1
I See Dead Plants
In this episode Ed interviews of South Dakota State University. They discuss Adam’s work with an emerging insect problem in soybeans, Sunflowers and other plants the dectes stem borer. Additional Resources https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/118/5/2338/8177282 Time Stamps (00:00) Introduction to ICDeadPlants Podcast (14:37) Understanding the Dectes Stem Borer (20:18) Agricultural Landscape of South Dakota (24:31) Life Cycle and Impact of Dectes Stem Borer (30:20) Adaptation and Host Preferences of Dectes Stem Borer (38:55) Nationwide Distribution and Future Research Zaworski, E....
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(S4:E42) The Bug Crusade: Adventures of the Indiana Jones of Entomology Part 2
I See Dead Plants
In this episode Ed interviews of University of California Riverside. They discuss some of Mark’s worldly adventures while trying to track down biological control agents and his work with the South American palm weevil. Additional Resources Time Stamps (01:08:56) Flight Capacity and Energy Dynamics (01:10:23) Analyzing Flight Patterns and Dispersal (01:11:51) Implications of Dispersal Patterns (01:13:55) Urban Environments and Invasive Species (01:15:39) Host Preferences and Economic Impact (01:17:30) Management Strategies for Invasive Weevils (01:19:56) Innovative Control Methods in...
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(S4:E41) The Bug Crusade: Adventures of the Indiana Jones of Entomology Part 1
I See Dead Plants
In this episode Ed interviews of University of California Riverside. They discuss some of Mark’s worldly adventures while trying to track down biological control agents and his work with the South American palm weevil. Additional Resources Time Stamps (00:00) Introduction to Dr. Mark Hoddle (02:43) Mark's Journey into Entomology (05:50) Transition to Biological Control Agents (08:34) Diverse Insect Pests and Their Management (11:54) Adventures in Field Research (14:40) International Collaborations in Entomology (17:34) The Importance of Networking in Academia (20:33) Upcoming Research...
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(S4:E40) Dr. Doom’s Crash Course in Ag Economics Part 2
I See Dead Plants
In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Ag economist at Iowa State University. They discuss the basics of ag economics, the current state of the ag economy and what the future may hold. Additional Resources Time Stamps How to cite the podcast: Zaworski, E. (Host) Hart, C. (Interviewee). S4:E40 (Podcast). Dr. Doom’s Crash Course in Ag Economics Part 2. 11/12/2025. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.
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(S4:E39) Dr. Doom’s Crash Course in Ag Economics part 1
I See Dead Plants
In this episode Ed interviews Dr. ag economist at Iowa State University. They discuss the basics of ag economics, the current state of the ag economy and what the future may hold. Additional Resources Time Stamps (0:00) Introductions Skip to the main topic: (7:08) What is economics? (9:25) what is the ag economy? (15:16) How much of a role do pests and diseases play in the ag economy (29:05) Changes to the ag economy over time How to cite the podcast: Zaworski, E. (Host) Hart, C. (Interviewee). S4:E39 (Podcast). Dr. Doom’s Crash Course in Ag Economics Part 1. 11/5/2025. In I See...
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(S1:E1) Alternate Hosts: Was Ergot To Blame For The Salem Witch Trials?
I See Dead Plants
In this episode of alternate hosts Ed Zaworski, Maddle Hendrickson and Chelsea Harbach embrace the spirit of Halloween and discuss the salem witch trials. One possible explaination for the witch hunt is that the people of salem consumed grains infested with a plant disease called ergot. Whatever you believe, join us for a fun conversation shedding light on a historically significant plant disease! Happy Halloween!
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(S4:E38) Blightmare on Stem Street: Alfalfa Bacterial Stem Blight
I See Dead Plants
In this episode Ed interviews of the USDA-ARS. They discuss the long-overlooked disease of alfalfa, bacterial stem blight. Additional Resources Time Stamps (0:00) Introductions (4:06) Overview of alfalfa production Skip to the main topic: (16:30) Bacterial stem blight (21:33) The role of frost (25:00) Pathogen differentiation (30:15) Pseudomonas and ice nucleation (39:02) Disease management (49:15) wrap-up How to cite the podcast: Zaworski, E. (Host) Samac, D.(Interviewee). S4:E38 (Podcast). Blightmare on Stem Street: Alfalfa Bacterial Stem Blight. 10/22/2025. In I See Dead...
info_outlineIn this episode Ed interviews Dr. Isaac Esquivel of the University of Florida and Dr. Phillip Roberts of the University of Georgia. They discuss a new pest of cotton, the cotton jassid or two-spot leaf hopper, that has very rapidly become a new concern for cotton growers.
Additional Resources
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/9/966
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/crop-production/alabama-cotton-jassid-update/
Time Stamps
(0:00) Introducing Our Guests and Their Entomology Journeys
Skip to the main topic:
(5:33) Identifying the New Cotton Pest and Its Damage
(12:52) How the Cotton Jassid Rapidly Invaded the Southeast
(25:13) Managing the Jassid Across Multiple Crop Hosts
(33:13) Exploring Long-Term Solutions and Environmental Influences
(40:20) Essential Advice for Cotton Growers Facing the Jassid
(53:37) Highlighting Agricultural Importance and Team Contributions
How to cite the podcast:
Zaworski, E. (Host) Esquivel, I. and Roberts, P. (Interviewees). S4:E37 (Podcast). A New Threat to Cotton: The Cotton Jassid. 10/8/25. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.