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

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/13033/

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 Limitations of the Super Donor
(38:47) Potential Environmental Impacts of Hypoviruses
(42:57) The Importance of American Chestnut
(45:47) Future of American Chestnut Research
(49:33) Exploring Hypovirulence in Other Pathogens
(52:44) Summarizing the Research Impact

Zaworski, E. (Host) Mikolajewski, D. (Interviewee). S4:E45 (Podcast). Blights Get Sick Too: Chestnut Blight and Hypovirulence. 12/31/2025. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Adam Varenhorst 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 Research Directions
(31:42) Key Takeaways for Growers
(37:34) Acknowledgments and Resources

Zaworski, E. (Host) Varenhorst, A. (Interviewee). S4:E44 (Podcast). Boring Problems?: Managing the Dectes Stem Borer Part 2. 12/24/2025. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode of Alternate Hosts Ed is Joined once again by Dr. Madeline Hendrickson 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!

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Adam Varenhorst 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. (Host) Varenhorst, A. (Interviewee). S4:E43 (Podcast). Boring Problems?: Managing the Dectes Stem Borer Part 1. 12/17/2025. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Mark Hoddle 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

Entomology's Indiana Jones

Biocontrol lab

Center for Invasive Species

South American Palm Weevil

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 Agriculture

(01:22:01) Economic Considerations in Pest Management

(01:24:25) Trapping and Monitoring Techniques

(01:27:17) Attract and Kill Strategies

(01:30:09) Field Trials and Efficacy of Treatments

(01:38:26) Proactive Management of Invasive Pests

(01:42:01) Proactive Approaches to Invasive Pests

(01:51:44) Biological Control Innovations

(01:59:42) Future of Invasive Species Management

(02:06:52) Public Awareness and Invasive Species

(02:12:22) Closing Thoughts and Resources

Zaworski, E. (Host) Hoddle, M. (Interviewee). S4:E42 (Podcast). The Bug Crusade: Adventures of the Indiana Jones of Entomology Part 2. 12/3/2025. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Mark Hoddle 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

Entomology's Indiana Jones

Biocontrol lab

Center for Invasive Species

South American Palm Weevil

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 and Challenges

Skip to the main topic:

(23:55) The South American Palm Weevil and Its Impact

(35:15) The Charismatic Palm Tree and Its Weevil Invader

(36:18) Understanding the South American Palm Weevil

(39:06) The Journey of the Weevil to California

(42:19) The Invasion of Two Weevil Species

(46:55) The Impact of Human Activity on Weevil Spread

(49:40) The Complex Life Cycle of Palm Weevils

(58:04) Culinary Delights: Eating Weevil Larvae

(01:04:44) Flight and Spread of the Palm Weevil

(01:06:34) Understanding Insect Flight Mechanics

Zaworski, E. (Host) Hoddle, M. (Interviewee). S4:E41 (Podcast). The Bug Crusade: Adventures of the Indiana Jones of Entomology Part 1. 11/26/2025. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Chad Hart 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

https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/chart/extension-presentations

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/

https://www.card.iastate.edu/

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.

Transcript

In this episode Ed interviews Dr. Chad Hart 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

https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/chart/extension-presentations

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/

https://www.card.iastate.edu/

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 Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network.

Transcript