Carolyn Klass
Senior Extension Associate
ck20@cornell.edu

Link to the Insect Diagnostic Laboratory

Areas of Expertise

General entomology, identification of insect pests in and around the home, plant pests, pest management

Research

The core of this work is to provide effective pest management information for people in and around their homes. Through the Community IPM program and school IPM work group, information is made available to schools, school administrators and other municipalities on pests and pest management. Community Horticulture work group does the same for homeowners and home gardeners. Identification is the first step of a pest management program. I have been providing insect identification and diagnosis for NYS residents, homeowners and industry alike through the Insect Diagnostic Laboratory. In addition I participate in statewide pest survey efforts through the CAPS program as an identifier for certain pests. A fact sheet series of common pests and pest management practices is available on our web site. The youth entomology program has provided a connection to science for young people. Subject matter is centered around insect diversity and studying insects through collecting, and/or rearing or otherwise working with live insects. The 4-H Science/Technology committee has been instrumental in bringing existing 4-H subject matter in the sciences into the mainstream. I aspire to continue to offer excellence in insect identification, and in inspiring young people to get more interested in insect science.

Extension and Outreach

Providing effective pest management guidelines for New York State residents through printed media including the Guide to Pest Management In and Around the Home; and individual fact sheets on frequently encountered insects on the WWW. Sales of publications and hits on web site are recorded. Train the trainer programs for Master Gardeners and Extension Educators are given annually, evaluated by local educators through a quiz after lecture; educational talks to formal and informal youth groups, schools, after-school programs, community interest groups. Identifier for NYS CAPS(Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey) program for certain pests, and pre-screener for others: data is reported to a national database (NAPIS) for state documentation of which counties are positive or negative by survey or visual inspection. This affects where state and federal quarantines are placed, the future movement of plants and products, and shifts trapping locations for the CAPS survey protocols and procedures.

Publications (last 5 years)

• Gilbert, C. and C. Klass. 2006. Decrease in Geographic Range of the Finger Lakes Brood (Brood VII) of the Periodical Cicada (Hemiptera: Cicadiidae: Magicacada spp.). J. New York Entomol. Soc 114(1-2): 78-85.
• Peck, D., E. R. Hoebeke and C. Klass. 2006. Detection and Establishment of the European Crane Flies Tipula paludosa Meigen and Tipula oleracea L. (Diptera: Tipulidae) in New York: A review of their distribution, invasion history, biology and recognition. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 108(4): 985-994.