Tom Bilbo

Educational Background

Ph.D. Entomology
Clemson University 2019

M.S. Environmental Toxicology
Texas Tech University 2015

B.S. Biology (Chemistry minor)
Denison University 2012

Profile

I am the state vegetable entomologist for South Carolina with a faculty appointment of 70% research and 30% Extension. The focus of my program is sustainable insect and mite pest management for vegetable and strawberry crops.

Research Interests

My research program focuses on applied insect ecology in vegetable agroecosystems. Research themes include developing and implementing biological control strategies for key pests, manipulating farm habitat for reduced pest potential, and managing insecticide resistance in order to improve sustainable food production.

Extension and Outreach

Extension efforts aim to address stakeholders needs by providing current and practical information and developing grower-friendly strategies for improving crop production and farm profitability.

Publications

1. Bilbo TR and JF Walgenbach. 2020. Compatibility of bifenazate and Phytoseiulus persimilis for management of twospotted spider mites in North Carolina staked tomatoes. Journal of Economic Entomology 113: 2096-2103.
2. Walgenbach JF, Bilbo TR, Ogburn EC, and DA Tussey. 2020. Chemigation versus foliar insecticide use: Management of lepidopteran larvae and stink bugs in North Carolina field tomatoes with environmental and farmworker benefits. Pest Management Science 77: 758-765.
3. Reay-Jones FPF, Bilbo TR, and DD Reisig. 2020. Decline in sublethal effects of Bt corn on corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) linked to increasing levels of resistance. Journal of Economic Entomology 113: 2241-2249.
4. Bilbo TR, Reay-Jones FPF, and JK Greene. 2020. Evaluation of insecticide thresholds in late-planted Bt and non-Bt corn for management of the fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 113: 814-823
5. Bilbo TR, Reay-Jones FPF, Reisig DD, Greene JK, and MW Turnbull. 2019. Development, survival, and feeding behavior of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) relative to Bt protein concentrations in corn ear tissues. PLoS ONE 14(8): e0221343. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221343
6. Bilbo TR, Reay-Jones FPF, Reisig DD, and JK Greene. 2019. Susceptibility of corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 in North and South Carolina. Journal of Economic Entomology 112: 1845-1857.
7. Bilbo TR, Reay-Jones FPF, Reisig DD, Musser FM, and JK Greene. 2018. Effects of Bt corn on the development and fecundity of corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 111: 2233-2241.
8. Reay-Jones FPF, Bilbo TR, and DD Reisig. 2018. Sampling transgenic corn producing Bt toxins for corn earworm injury. Journal of Economic Entomology 111: 1446-1453.
9. Reátegui-Zirena EG, Fidder BN, Olson AD, Dawson DE, Bilbo TR, and CJ Salice. 2017. Transgenerational endpoints provide increased sensitivity and insight into multigenerational responses of Lymnaea stagnalis exposed to cadmium. Environmental Pollution 224: 572-580.

Current Projects (submitted or in preparation):
10. Evaluation of insecticide programs for management of key insect pests of tomatoes and compatibility with the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis. Bilbo TR, Owens D, Golec JR, and JF Walgenbach.
11. Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) resistance to Radiant™ (spinetoram) in North Carolina. Bilbo TR, Kennedy GG, and JF Walgenbach.
12. Population dynamics of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) in North Carolina agroecosystems. Bilbo TR, Kennedy GG, and JF Walgenbach.
13. Influence of host-plant source on Phytoseiulus persimilis performance for suppressing twospotted spider mites in staked tomatoes. Bilbo TR and JF Walgenbach.
14. Biological control of twospotted spider mites in staked tomatoes: optimizing inundative releases and conserving naturalized populations of Phytoseiulus persimilis in North Carolina. Bilbo TR, Owens D, Golec JR, and JF Walgenbach.
15. Influence of tomato-pepper intercropping on western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) population dynamics and investigation of a potential predator, Amblyseius swirskii, using gut content analysis. Bilbo TR, Schmidt-Jeffris RA, Bergeron PE, JF Walgenbach.
16. Evaluation of a drive-row banker plant system utilizing the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis for the biological control of twospotted spider mites in staked tomatoes. Bilbo, TR, Owens D, Golec JR, and JF Walgenbach.