Anthony M. Shelton
Professor, CALS International Professor
ams5@cornell.edu

Research Links

Area of Expertise

Insect ecology and pest management of insects affecting vegetables; biological control; insecticide resistance management; biotechnology; risk assessment

Research

The focus of our research program is to develop sound insect management strategies for vegetables, with spin-offs for others crops, using a sound understanding of insect ecological principles.  This broad focus allows us the opportunity to work simultaneously in basic and applied areas on a number of important insects.  Our program works with presently available strategies and helps incorporate them into pest management programs, and develops new strategies for the future.  Examples of projects include: developing sampling and treatment guidelines for specific crops; understanding and modifying ecological factors that influence the risk of infestation; incorporating biological control into insect management strategies; studying mechanisms of host plant resistance and working with companies to develop resistant germplasm; evaluating presently registered insecticides and those under development for their effects on pests and non-target organisms; developing insecticide resistance management strategies; studying the movement of insects within and between crops in the agroecosystem; working in a team to develop and deploy Bt vegetable crops; developing trap crop strategies for IPM.

Extension and Outreach

Our extension program focuses on helping growers implement sound IPM strategies and educating the public about agricultural issues, including biological control and biotechnology.  Our program is also involved in helping develop regulatory policies on a national and international level, especially for transgenic insecticidal plants.

Publications (last 5 years)

• Li, Y., J. Romeis, P. Wang, Y. Peng, and A. M.Shelton.  2011.  A comprehensive assessment of the potential effectsof Bt cotton on Coleomegilla maculata demonstrates no detrimental effects by Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab. PLoS ONE 6(7): e22185. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022185
• Romies, J. R. Hellmich, M. Candolfi, K.Carstens, A. de Schrijer, A. Gatehouse, R. Herman, J Huesing, M. McLean, A.Raybould, A. Shelton and A. Waggoner. 2011. Recommendations for the design of laboratory studies on non-target arthropods for risk assessment of genetically engineered plants. Transgenic Research 20:1-22.
• Baxter, S., J. Davey, S. Johnston, A. M.Shelton, D. Heckel, C. Jiggins, and M. Blaxter. 2011. Association mapping,comparative genomics and constructing linkage groups using next-generation RAD sequencing of a non-model organism.  PLoS One http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0019315
• Smith, E. A., A. DiTommaso, M. Fuchs, A.M. Shelton and B. A. Nault.  2011.  Weed hosts for onion thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and their potential role in the epidemiology of Iris yellow spot virus in an onion ecosystem. Environ. Entomol. 40(2):  194-203. 
• Chen, M., A. M. Shelton, R. H. Hallett, C. A.Hoepting, J. R. Kikkert and P. Wang. 2011. Swede midge, 10 years of invasion of crucifer crops in North America.  J. Econ. Entomol. (Forum) 104:709-716.
• Li, Y., J. Ostrem, J. Romeis, M. Chen, Liu, X.,R. Hellmich, A. M. Shelton and Y. Peng. 2011.  Development of a tier-1 assay for assessing the toxicity of insecticidal substances against Coleomegilla maculata.  Environ. Entomol. 40: 496-502.
• Liu, X., M. Chen, D. Onstad, R. Roush and A. M.Shelton.  2011.  Effects of Bt broccoli and resistant genotypes of Plutella xylostella on development and host acceptance of the parasitoid, Diadegma insulare. Transgenic Research Vol 20: 887-897. DOI 10.1007/s11248-010-9471-9
• Diaz-Montano, M. Fuchs, B. A. Nault, J. Fail and A. M. Shelton.  2011.  Onion thrips: a global pest of increasingconcern in onion.  J. Econ. Entomol. 104:1-13.
• Rinkevich, F., M. Chen, A. M. Shelton and J. Scott.  2010.  Transcripts of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit gene Pxylα6 with premature stop codons are associated with spinosad resistance in diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Invert. Nuerosci 10:25-33.
• Liu, X., M. Chen, D. Onstad, R. Roush and A. M. Shelton.  2010.  Effects of Bt broccoli and resistant genotypes of Plutella xylostella on development and host acceptance of the parasitoid, Diadegma insulare.  Transgenic Research DOI 10.1007/s11248-010-9471-9
• Silva-Aguayo, G., J. Concepcion Rodriguez-Maciel, A. Lagunes-Tejeda, C. Llanderal-Cazares, R. Alatorre-Rosas, A. M. Shelton and C. A. Blanco.  2010.  Bioactivity of Boldo (Peumus boldus Molina) on Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa zea.  Southerwestern Entomol. Vol. 35:215 231.
• Nault, B. A. and A. M. Shelton. 2010.  Impact of insecticide efficacy on developing action thresholds for pest management: a case study of onion thrips on onions.  J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 1315-1326.
• Shelton, A. M.  2010. The long road to commercialization of Bt brinjal (eggplant) in India.  Crop Protection 29: 412-414.
• Baxter, S., M. Chen, A. Dawson, J. Z. Zhao, H. Vogel, A. M. Shelton, D. Heckel and C. Jiggins. 2010. Mis-spliced transcripts of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α6 are associated with field evolved spinosad resistance in Plutella xylostella (L.). Plos Genetics 6 (1): 1-10.
• Zhao, J. Z., H. L. Collins and A. M. Shelton.  2010.  Testing insecticide resistance management strategies: mosaics vs rotations.  Pest Management Sci. 66: 1101-1105. 
• Diaz-Montano, J., M. Fuchs, B. A. Nault and A. M. Shelton.  2010.  Evaluation of onion cultivars for resistance to onion thrips and Iris yellow spot virus.  J. Econ. Entomol. 103:925-937.   
• Hsu, C. L., C. A. Hoepting, M. Fuchs, A. M. Shelton and B. A. Nault. 2010.  Temporal dynamics of Iris yellow spot virus and its vector, onion thrips, Thrips tabaci, in direct-seeded and transplant onion fields.  Environ. Entomol. 39: 266-277.
• Grzywacz, D., A. Rossbach, A. Rauf, D. Russell, R. Srinivasan and A. M. Shelton.  2010.  Current control methods for diamondback moth and prospects for improved management with lepidopteran-resistant Bt vegetable brassicas in Asia and Africa.  Crop Protection 29:68-79.
•  Shelton, A. M., G. T. Gujar, M. Chen, A. Rauf, R. Srinvasan, V. Kalia, A. Mittal, A. Kumari, K. Ramesh, R. Borkakatti, J. Z. Zhao, N. Endersby, D. Russell, Y. D. Wu and B. Uijtewaal.  2009.  Assessing the susceptibility of cruciferous Lepidoptera to Cry1Ba2 and Cry1Ca4 for future transgenic vegetables.  J. Econ. Entomol. 102: 2217-2223.
• Shelton, A. M., S. Naranjo, J. Romeis,  R. H. Hellmich, J. Wolt, B. Federici, R. Albajes, F. Bigler, E. Burgess, G. Dively, A. Gatehouse, L. Malone, R. Roush, M. Sears, F. Sehnal, N. Ferry and H. Bell.  2009. Appropriate analytical methods are necessary to assess non-target effects of insecticidal proteins in GM crops through meta-analysis (response to Andow et al.).  Environ. Entomol. 38: 1533-8.
• Shelton, A. M., S. Naranjo, J. Romeis,  R. H. Hellmich, J. Wolt, B. Federici, R. Albajes, F. Bigler, E. Burgess, G. Dively, A. Gatehouse, L. Malone, R. Roush, M. Sears and F. Sehnal.  2009.  Setting the record straight: a rebuttal to an erroneous analysis on transgenic insecticidal crops and natural enemies.  Transgenic Res. 18:317-322
• Chen, M, W. Li and A. M. Shelton.  2009.  Simulated crop rotation systems control swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Keiffer).  Entomol. Expt. Appl. 133:84-91.
• Hallett, R. H., M. Chen, M. K. Sears and A. M. Shelton.  2009.  Insecticide management strategies for control of the swede midge on cole crops. J. Econ. Entomol. 102: 2241-2254.
• Chen, M., A. M. Shelton, P. Wang, C. A. Hoepting, W. C. Kain and D. C. Brainard.  2009.  Occurrence of the new invasive insect, Contarinia nasturtii, on cruciferous weeds. J. Econ. Entomol. 102: 115-120. 
• Chen, M., G. Ye, Z. Liu, Q. Fang, C. Hu, Y. Peng and A. M. Shelton.  2009.  Analysis of Cry1Ab toxin bioaccumulation in a food chain of Bt rice, an herbivore and predator.  Ecotoxicology: 18 Issue: 2: 230-238.
• Shelton, A. M. and J.-Z. Zhao.  2009. Resistance management to transgenic plants.  In Integrated Pest Management.  Eds. E. B. Radcliffe and W. D. Hutchinson, pp 247-259.  Cambridge University Press.
• Romeis, J. A. M. Shelton and G. G. Kennedy. 2008.  Integration of insect-resistant genetically modified crops within IPM programs.  Springer.  Dordrecht, The Netherlands. 441 pp.
• Shelton, A. M., H. Collins, Zhang Youjun and Wu Qingjn.  2008.  Management of Diamondback Moth and Other Crucifer Pests. China Agricultural Science and Technology Press, Beijing.  379 pp.
• Moar, W., R. Roush, A. M. Shelton, J. Ferre, S. MacIntosh, B. Leonard and C. Abel.  2008.  Field-evolved resistance to Bt toxin.  Nature Biotech.  26:10: 6-7
• Shelton, A. M., M. Fuchs and F. Shotkowski. 2008.  Transgenic vegetables and fruits for control of insect and insect-vectored pathogens.  In Integration of insect-resistant, genetically modified crops within IPM programs.  Eds. J. Romeis, A. M. Shelton and G. G. Kennedy, pp 249-272. Springer.  Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
• Shelton, A. M., J. Romeis and G. G. Kennedy. 2008.  IPM and GM, insect-protected plants: thoughts for the future.  In Integration of insect-resistant, genetically modified crops within IPM programs.  Eds. J. Romeis, A. M. Shelton and G. G. Kennedy, pp 419-430. Springer.  Dordrecht, The Netherlands
• Chen, M., J.-Z. Zhao, H. L. Collins, E. D. Earle, J. Cao and A. M. Shelton.  2008.  A critical assessment of the effects of Bt transgenic plants on parasitoids. PLoS ONE 3(5): e2284. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0002284
• Larentzaki, E., J. Plate, B. Nault and A. M. Shelton.  2008.  Impact of straw mulch on population dynamics of onion thrips in onion.  J. Econ. Entomol. 101:1317-1324.
• Cao, J., A. M. Shelton and E. D. Earle.  2008.  Sequential transformation to pyramid two Bt genes in vegetable Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and its potential for control of diamondback moth larvae.  Plant Cell Report. 27 Issue: 3, Pages: 479-487.
• Shelton, A. M., S. L. Hatch, J.-Z. Zhao, M. Chen, E. D. Earle and J. Cao.  2008.  Suppression of diamondback moth using Bt transgenic plants as a trap crop.  Crop Protection 27: 403-9.
• Baxter, S. W., J-Z. Zhao, A. M. Shelton, H. Vogel and D. G. Heckel.  2008.  Genetic mapping of Bt-toxin binding proteins in a multi-toxin resistant strain of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.  Insect Biochem and Molecular Bio. 38: 125-135.
• Shelton, A. M., J. Plate and M. Chen.  2008.  Advances in control of onion thrips in cabbage.  J. Econ. Entomol. 101: 438-443.
• Chen, M., J.-Z. Zhao, A. M. Shelton, J. Cao and E. D. Earle.  2008.  Impact of single and dual-gene Bt broccoli on the herbivore Pieris rapae and its pupal endoparasitoid Pteromaluus puparium.  Transgenic Res. 17: 545-555.
• Romeis, J., Bartsch, D., Bigler, F., Candolfi, M.P., Gielkens, M., Hartley, S.E., Hellmich, R.L., Huesing, J.E., Jepson, P.C., Layton, R., Quemada, H., Raybould, A., Rose, R.I., Schiemann, J., Sears, M.K., Shelton, A.M., Sweet, J., Vaituzis, Z., and Wolt, J.D.  2008.  Assessment of risk of insect-resistant transgenic crops to non-target organisms.  Nature Biotechnology 26: 203-208.
• Larentzaki, E., A. M. Shelton and J. Plate.  2008.  Effect of kaolin particle film on Thrips tabaci oviposition, feeding and development on onions: a lab and field case study.  Crop Protection 27: 727-734.
• Shelton, A. M., J-Z Zhao, R. T. Roush, H. L. Collins, E. D. Earle and J. Cao.  2008. Bt crucifers: from a model system to a commercial product.  In Management of Diamondback Moth and Other Crucifer Pests.  Eds. A. M. Shelton, H. L. Collins, Zhang Youjun and Wu Qingjun, pp 224-230. China Agricultural Science and Technology Press, Beijing.
• Zhao, J-Z, A. M. Shelton, H. L. Collins, M. Chen and R. F. Mau.  2008.  Monitoring, characterization and management of diamondback moth resistance to spinosad and indoxacarb.  In Management of Diamondback Moth and Other Crucifer Pests.  Eds. A. M. Shelton, H. L. Collins, Zhang Youjun and Wu Qingjun, pp 258-263. China Agricultural Science and Technology Press, Beijing.
• Chen, M., Q. Wu, R. Hallett, M. Sears, J-Z Zhao, and A. M. Shelton.  2008.  The efficacy of insecticides and application methods against Contarinia nasturtii under laboratory and field conditions.  In Management of Diamondback Moth and Other Crucifer Pests.  Eds. A. M. Shelton, H. L. Collins, Zhang Youjun and Wu Qingjun, pp 264-271. China Agricultural Science and Technology Press, Beijing.
• Russell, D., Uijtewaal, B., A. M. Shelton, M. Chen, R. Srinivasan, G. Gujar, A. Rauf, D. Grzywacz and P. Gregory.  2008.  Bt brassicas for DBM control: The CIMBAA public/private partnership.  In Management of Diamondback Moth and Other Crucifer Pests.  Eds. A. M. Shelton, H. L. Collins, Zhang Youjun and Wu Qingjun, pp 272-279. China Agricultural Science and Technology Press, Beijing.
• Chen, M. and A. M. Shelton.  2007.  Impact of soil type, moisture and depth on swede midge pupation and emergence.  Environ. Ent. 36:1349-1355
• Heckel, D. G., L. J. Gahan, S. W. Baxter, J.-Z. Zhao, A. M. Shelton, F. Gould, B. E. Tabashnik.  2007.  The diversity of Bt resistance genes in Lepidoptera.  J. Invert. Path. 95:192-197.
• Hardy, R., A. Eaglesham and A. M. Shelton. 2007.  Agriculture & forestry for energy, chemicals, & materials: The road forward.  Industrial Biotechnology, Vol. 3, No. 2, p. 133-137.
• Shelton, A. M. 2007.  Considerations on the use of transgenic crops for insect control.  J.  Developmental Studies.  43: 890-900.
• Larentzaki, E., A. M. Shelton, F. R. Musser, B. A. Nault and J. Plate.  2007.  Overwintering of onion thrips in onion fields in New York.  J. Econ. Entomol. 100: 1194-1200.
• Chen, M., Z-C. Liu, G-Y. Ye, Z-C. Shen, C. Hu, Y-F, Peng, I. Altosaar and A. M. Shelton.  2007.  Impacts of transgenic cry1Ab rice on non-target planthoppers and their main predator Cyrtorhinus lividipennis- a case study on the compatibility of Bt rice with biological control.  Biological Control 42:242-250.
• Chen, M., J.-Z. Zhao and A. M. Shelton.  2007.  Control of swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii,  by foliar sprays of acetamiprid on cauliflower transplants.  Crop Protection 26:1574-1578.
• Rueda, A., F. Badenes-Perez and A. M. Shelton.  2007.  Developing economic thresholds for onion thrips in Honduras.  Crop Protection, 26: 1099-1107.
• Wang, P., J-Z Zhao, A. Rodrigo-Simon, W. Kain, A. Janmaat, A. M. Shelton and J. Myers.  2007.  Mechanism of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac in a greenhouse population of cabbage looper, Tricholusia ni.  Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73: 1199- 1207.
• Fang, J., X. Xu, P. Wang, J.-Z. Zhao, A. M. Shelton, J. Cheng, M.-G. Feng, and Z. Shen.  2007.  Characterization of chimeric Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3 toxins. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73: 956-961.