Rufus Isaacs
Contact Me
Pronouns:
He/Him/His
University Distinguished Professor and Berry Crops Entomology Extension Specialist
Department of Entomology
Phone:
517-355-6619
Email:
isaacsr@msu.edu
Degrees:
Ph.D. – Imperial College, University of London, Chemical Ecology (1994)
B.S. – Imperial College, University of London, Applied Biology (1991)
Related Work
Authored Articles
- Michigan grape scouting report – October 8, 2025, October 8, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – October 1, 2025, October 2, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 24, 2025, September 24, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 17, 2025, September 17, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 10, 2025, September 11, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 4, 2025, September 4, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 20, 2025, August 20, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 13, 2025, August 14, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 6, 2025, August 6, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 30, 2025, July 30, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 23, 2025, July 23, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 16, 2025, July 16, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 9, 2025, July 9, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 2, 2025, July 2, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 25, 2025, June 25, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 18, 2025, June 18, 2025
- Michigan Grape Scouting Report – June 11, 2025, June 11, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 4, 2025, June 4, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – May 28, 2025, May 28, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – May 21, 2025, May 21, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – May 14, 2025, May 14, 2025
- Guidelines to assist growers with the H-2A program and immigration preparedness on the farm: Part 2, April 18, 2025
- Updates to the 2025 Fruit Management Guide, April 1, 2025
- Guidelines to assist growers with immigration preparedness on the farm: Part 1, February 13, 2025
- Spotted lanternfly resources from MSU Extension, January 14, 2025
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 25, 2024, September 25, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 18, 2024, September 18, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 11, 2024, September 12, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 5, 2024, September 5, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 29, 2024, August 29, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 22, 2024, August 22, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 16, 2024, August 16, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 7, 2024, August 7, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 31, 2024, July 31, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 25, 2024, July 25, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 18, 2024, July 18, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 10, 2024, July 10, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 4, 2024, July 8, 2024
- Harvest-time insect alert for Michigan blueberry growers, June 27, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 26, 2024, June 26, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 19, 2024, June 19, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 13, 2024, June 13, 2024
- Pest management in frost-damaged vineyards, May 15, 2024
- Protecting blueberry bloom from extreme heat using overhead irrigation, May 2, 2024
- New video on sampling berries for spotted wing drosophila to guide your IPM program, April 11, 2024
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 6, 2023, September 6, 2023
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 30, 2023, August 30, 2023
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 22, 2023, August 22, 2023
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 9, 2023, August 9, 2023
- Michigan Grape Scouting Report – August 2, 2023, August 2, 2023
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 12, 2023, July 12, 2023
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 28, 2023, June 29, 2023
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 21, 2023, June 22, 2023
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 14, 2023, June 15, 2023
- Mite management in tree fruits under hot and dry weather conditions, June 13, 2023
- Protecting blueberry blooms from extreme heat injury using overhead irrigation, June 1, 2023
- Fruit insecticide registration update for 2023, March 27, 2023
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 21, 2022, September 22, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 14, 2022, September 14, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – September 7, 2022, September 8, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 31, 2022, August 31, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 24, 2022, August 24, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 17, 2022, August 17, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 10, 2022, August 10, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – August 3, 2022, August 3, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 27, 2022, July 27, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 20, 2022, July 20, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 13, 2022, July 13, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 6, 2022, July 6, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 29, 2022, June 29, 2022
- Insecticide options for spotted wing drosophila control in blueberry, June 28, 2022
- Timing sprays for mid-season grape berry moth control, June 28, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 22, 2022, June 22, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 15, 2022, June 15, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 8, 2022, June 8, 2022
- Early season control of grape berry moth in Michigan vineyards for 2022, June 8, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 1, 2022, June 1, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – May 25, 2022, May 25, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – May 18, 2022, May 18, 2022
- Reducing pesticide risk to bees during fruit crop bloom, May 12, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – May 11, 2022, May 11, 2022
- MSU Entomologists welcome arrival of samba wasp for biocontrol of invasive fruit fly, March 24, 2022
- Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 29, 2021, September 29, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 22, 2021, September 22, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 15, 2021, September 16, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 8, 2021, September 8, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 1, 2021, September 1, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – Aug. 25, 2021, August 25, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – Aug. 11, 2021, August 11, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – Aug. 4, 2021, August 4, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 22, 2021, July 22, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 15, 2021, July 15, 2021
- Time for spotted wing Drosophila management in berry and cherry crops, July 9, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 7, 2021, July 7, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 30, 2021, June 30, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 23, 2021, June 23, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 16, 2021, June 16, 2021
- Rose chafer management for northwest vineyards, June 15, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 9, 2021, June 9, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 2, 2021, June 2, 2021
- Pest management approaches in a winter or freeze damaged grape vineyard, May 26, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – May 26, 2021, May 26, 2021
- Michigan grape scouting report – May 19, 2021, May 19, 2021
- MSU Extension’s grape scouting reports for 2021, May 19, 2021
- High heat during blueberry bloom: Great for pollination, as long as it doesn’t get too hot, May 18, 2021
- Early season vineyard management, April 20, 2021
- Gall wasp control research update, March 30, 2021
- Grower input needed on sour rot and wasp challenges in vineyards, February 3, 2021
- Mobile-friendly guide for blueberry IPM scouting is now available, November 30, 2020
- Detection of dead spotted lanternflies in Michigan highlights the need for vigilance, November 16, 2020
- Spotted lanternfly: A colorful cause for concern, November 12, 2020
- Post-harvest vineyard management: Preparing vines for winter, October 23, 2020
- Join Queen Quest to search for overwintering bumble bees, October 13, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 30, 2020, September 30, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 23, 2020, September 23, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 16, 2020, September 16, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 9, 2020, September 9, 2020
- Berry moth control: Preparing for the 2020 grape harvest, September 9, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 2, 2020, September 2, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – Aug. 26, 2020, August 26, 2020
- Viticultural practices in northwest Michigan at veraison, August 20, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – Aug. 19, 2020, August 19, 2020
- Michigan Grape scouting report – August 12, 2020, August 12, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – Aug. 5, 2020, August 5, 2020
- August is key time for protecting clusters from grape berry moth, August 4, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 29, 2020, July 29, 2020
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 28, 2020, July 28, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 22, 2020, July 22, 2020
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 21, 2020, July 21, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 15, 2020, July 15, 2020
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 14, 2020, July 14, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 8, 2020, July 8, 2020
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 7, 2020, July 7, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – July 1, 2020, July 1, 2020
- Mid-season management of grape berry moth, July 1, 2020
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – June 30, 2020, June 30, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 24, 2020, June 24, 2020
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – June 23, 2020, June 23, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 17, 2020, June 17, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 10, 2020, June 10, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – June 3, 2020, June 3, 2020
- Michigan grape scouting report – May 27, 2020, May 27, 2020
- Fruitworm control in blueberries for 2020, May 26, 2020
- Hot weather causing rapid blueberry bloom, May 26, 2020
- New blueberry stem gall wasp fact sheet available in English and Spanish, May 26, 2020
- Bud swell is the time for monitoring vineyards for cutworms and flea beetles, April 28, 2020
- Managing grapevine leafroll disease, April 27, 2020
- Supplemental label issued for Verdepryn to control blueberry stem gall wasp, April 13, 2020
- Meeting for blueberry growers will update on gall wasp and replanting issues, March 1, 2020
- Mobile-friendly guide for grape IPM scouting is now available, February 13, 2020
- Upcoming webinar will report on spotted wing Drosophila research, October 15, 2019
- MSU vineyard IPM scouting report – Oct. 9, 2019, October 9, 2019
- MSU vineyard IPM scouting report – Sept. 25, 2019, September 25, 2019
- MSU vineyard IPM scouting report – Sept. 11, 2019, September 11, 2019
- MSU vineyard IPM scouting report – Aug. 28, 2019, August 28, 2019
- MSU vineyard IPM scouting report – Aug. 14, 2019, August 14, 2019
- MSU vineyard IPM scouting report – July 31, 2019, July 31, 2019
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 30, 2019, July 31, 2019
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 24, 2019, July 24, 2019
- MSU vineyard IPM scouting report – July 17, 2019, July 17, 2019
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 16, 2019, July 16, 2019
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 9, 2019, July 9, 2019
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 5, 2019, July 8, 2019
- Michigan vineyard pest scouting report – July 3, 2019, July 3, 2019
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – June 26, 2019, June 26, 2019
- MSU vineyard IPM scouting report – June 19, 2019, June 19, 2019
- Financial support available to replant fields infested by blueberry stem gall wasp, June 17, 2019
- MSU vineyard IPM scouting report – June 5, 2019, June 5, 2019
- Preparing for gall wasp emergence in blueberry fields, May 21, 2019
- Effects of extreme heat on blueberry pollination, May 13, 2019
- Using degree days to predict pest and crop development in blueberries, April 30, 2019
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 31, 2018, July 31, 2018
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 24, 2018, July 24, 2018
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 17, 2018, July 17, 2018
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 10, 2018, July 10, 2018
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update - July 3, 2018, July 3, 2018
- Spotted wing Drosophila catches increase sharply in southwest Michigan, June 26, 2018
- Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – June 19, 2018, June 19, 2018
- New guide to organic management of spotted wing Drosophila released, June 19, 2018
- Michigan Pollinator Habitat Planning Scorecard for Solar Sites now available, June 13, 2018
- Using the MSU Enviroweather grape berry moth model in 2018, June 12, 2018
- Vineyard IPM can save grape growers money, reduce losses, June 5, 2018
- Fruitworm flight activity started, egglaying predicted in earliest blueberry sites, May 29, 2018
- Grape erineum management opportunity at dormant timing, May 1, 2018
- Some simple tips for reducing pesticide risk to pollinators, May 1, 2018
- National team will present latest information on biological control of spotted wing Drosophila, January 9, 2018
- Cornell grape research update provides information on managing sour rots, September 5, 2017
- New Delegate and Entrust labels allow for one-day PHI in bushberry crops, June 20, 2017
- Rose chafer management for vineyards, June 13, 2017
- Gall wasp management guidelines in blueberries for 2017, May 16, 2017
- Experts in crop pollination to present in webinar series, January 11, 2017
- EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board issues ruling on flubendiamide, August 9, 2016
- MSU has events for everyone during National Pollinator Week, May 11, 2016
- Invest in pollination for success with highbush blueberries, May 6, 2016
- Guide for encouraging pollinators, October 21, 2015
- Grape berry moth update: Late-season pressure lower in 2015, August 11, 2015
- Grape berry moth pressure lower in 2015 – control window approaching for southern Michigan, July 21, 2015
- Increase of spotted wing Drosophila in berry crops, July 14, 2015
- First spotted wing Drosophila detected for 2015 – traps should be out already, June 16, 2015
- Where else do spotted wing Drosophila like to feed?, April 15, 2015
Articles Featuring
- Spartan scientists contribute to global examination of pollinator habitat, October 6, 2025
- Trevor Nichols Research Center hosts final 2025 field day, September 30, 2025
- MSU Studies on Pollinators and Corn Earworm Among Most Cited in Environmental Entomology Journal, March 20, 2025
- New Bee Collection at MSU Preserves Vital Data for Future Research, March 12, 2025
- Project GREEEN advancing research on harmful plant insects, February 28, 2024
- Project GREEEN: 25 years of strengthening Michigan plant agriculture, February 15, 2024
- MSU researchers seeking solutions for spotted wing drosophila, April 24, 2023
- Four faculty ranked for their global publication power, November 16, 2022
- Bees interrupted, May 19, 2021
- MSU research team receives USDA grant to evaluate effectiveness, cost of new blueberry pest management strategies, February 19, 2021
- Nine faculty named 2020 highly cited researchers, December 4, 2020
- MSU receives $2 million USDA grant to improve blueberry pollination, October 21, 2020
- MSU entomologists join $5.4 million effort to develop sustainable management of spotted wing Drosophila, October 13, 2020
- National study documents U.S. specialty crop farmers can increase yields through improved pollination, July 29, 2020
- Michigan State University hosts viticulture virtual field days, July 15, 2020
- Investigating insect impacts on berry crops, July 1, 2020
- Project GREEEN advancing Michigan plant agriculture for 20 years, February 1, 2020
- MSU researchers investigate pollinator conservation gardening, January 12, 2020
- New report says six MSU AgBioResearch scientists among most highly cited, December 3, 2019
- Combating the blueberry stem gall wasp, October 8, 2019
- How pollinators can help farmers and renewable energy score, June 18, 2019
- The Buzz About Bumble Bees Isn't Good, April 23, 2019
- Pollinator Health Meetings to provide update on Great Lakes Pollinator Health Project, February 22, 2019
- Project GREEEN committed to controlling spotted wing drosophila, October 1, 2018
- Supporting pollination in agriculture, October 1, 2018
- Rufus Isaacs receives ESA professional award for excellence in integrated pest management, September 4, 2018
- Honeybees Are Hurting. What Else Can Pollinate Our Food?, August 21, 2018
- Gabriela Quinlan selected to receive North Central Region SARE grant, August 2, 2018
- Two CANR faculty members recognized with William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award, May 10, 2018
- MSU CANR names Isaacs 2018 distinguished faculty, March 6, 2018
- Enhancing Great Lakes landscapes for healthy pollinators, February 22, 2018
- Rufus Isaacs awarded MSU’s prestigious Beal Outstanding faculty award, February 9, 2018
- A whole new world: Opening international markets through pest management research, January 10, 2018
- Rufus Isaacs awarded 2017 Distinguished Service Award by Michigan State Horticultural Society, December 19, 2017
- MSU pollinator team lands nearly $1 million to improve landscapes for healthy pollinators, June 22, 2017
- Michigan State University Researchers Awarded Grant to Combat Invasive Pest in Tart Cherry Trees, June 1, 2017
- Spotted wing drosophila proves formidable fruit foe, November 7, 2016
- Free evening event at MSU will shine a spotlight on the issues facing pollinators and some solutions, November 1, 2016
- 'Build habitat and they will come': MSU research aims to bring bees back to Midwest farms, September 7, 2016
- MSU researcher: more wild bee habitat would benefit growers, July 5, 2016
- Pollination progress: The Integrated Crop Pollination project on positive trajectory, June 23, 2016
- Save the dates for MSU field days featuring research updates, May 26, 2016
- Plight of the bumblebee: MSU entomologist on decline of wild bees, January 5, 2016
- Wild bee decline threatens U.S. crop production, December 22, 2015
- Insect, plant disease and pesticide research to feature at Trevor Nichols Research Center Field Day, September 21, 2015
- Responding to invasion: MSU shields fruit industry against tiny fly with big impacts, November 29, 2014
- MSU researchers receive $7.7 million in specialty crop grants from USDA, October 3, 2014
- USDA awards MSU $6.9 million grant to help bees, August 6, 2014
- MSU to lead $1.6 million grant on national crop pollination, November 5, 2012
- MSU AgBioResearch scientists seek grassland cooperators for study, August 1, 2012
- Increasing predator-friendly land can help farmers reduce costs, May 17, 2012
- AgBioResearch scientist heads response team to help Michigan growers manage spotted wing drosophila, January 5, 2012
- Pollination study shows importance of maintaining natural areas around crops, August 27, 2011
- Insecticides Can Affect Wild Bee Populations, MABR Research Shows, September 10, 2010
- Going Native May Lower Pest Control Costs and Increase Yields, July 30, 2009
- Research Finds Southwestern Michigan Abuzz With Native Bee Species, June 10, 2009
Authored Documents
- Michigan Blueberry Cost of Production 2024, June 17, 2025
- 2025 Michigan Hop Management Guide, March 21, 2025
- Advances on the Management of the Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) with Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs), January 8, 2025
- Blueberry Varieties for Michigan, February 26, 2024
- Blueberry Bites Newsletter, July 14, 2023
- MSU Grape Insecticide Rankings, June 8, 2022
- Arándanos de MI: Anotaciones: La Mosquita de la Agalla del Arándano, March 29, 2022
- Arándanos de MI: Anotaciones: El Escarabajoe Japones, March 28, 2022
- Los Gusanos del Fruto del Arándano (Fruitworms), February 10, 2022
- Guía de Manejo de los Polinizadores de los Arándanos (Blueberry Pollinator Stewardship Guide in Spanish), June 29, 2021
- Blueberry Pollinator Stewardship Guide, January 19, 2021
- Spotted Lanternfly: A Colorful Cause for Concern, November 30, 2020
- A Mobile Guide to IPM Scouting in Highbush Blueberries, November 11, 2020
- Arándanos de MI: Anotaciones: Biología y manejo de la avispa de las agallas de los tallos del arándano “highbush”, May 20, 2020
- Michigan Blueberry Facts: Biology and Management of Stem Gall Wasp in Highbush Blueberries, May 11, 2020
- Michigan Grape Facts: Managing Grapevine Leafroll Disease, April 27, 2020
- A Mobile Guide for Grape IPM Scouting in North Central and Eastern U.S., February 11, 2020
- La Mosca Drosófila de las Alas Manchadas: Biología e Identificación, February 10, 2020
- 2018 MIP avanzado para el control químico de la Drosophila suzukii y su manejo, February 10, 2020
- Systems Approach to Managing the Spotted Wing Drosophila: Chemical Control, February 10, 2020
- Systems Approach to Managing the Spotted Wing Drosophila in Berry Crops, February 10, 2020
- Reducing Harvest Losses to Late-Season Insects and their Associated Diseases in Michigan Vineyards, May 21, 2019
- Michigan Vineyard IPM Extension Program, 2018, May 21, 2019
- Michigan Vineyard IPM Extension Program, February 23, 2018
- Establishing Wildflower Habitat to Support Pollinators of Michigan Fruit Crops (E3360), July 26, 2017
- Building and Managing Bee Hotels for Wild Bees, June 21, 2017
- Grape IPM Program, January 19, 2017
- Smart Gardening for Pollinators Webinar, May 23, 2016
- A Pocket Guide for Grape IPM Scouting in North Central and Eastern U.S., November 11, 2015
- A Pocket Guide to IPM Scouting in Highbush Blueberries, November 11, 2015
- Michigan Blueberry Facts: Blueberry Aphid and Blueberry Shoestring Virus, November 10, 2015
- Conserving Native Bees on Farmland, November 10, 2015
- Michigan Blueberry Facts: Japanese Beetle, November 9, 2015
- Spotted Wing Drosophila: A New Invasive Pest of Michigan Fruit Crops, November 6, 2015
- Minimizing Pesticide Risk to Bees in Fruit Crops (E3245), May 31, 2015
- Spotted Wing Drosophila - A New Invasive Pest of Michigan Fruit Crops, October 1, 2010
- Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle Update for Fruit Growers, November 15, 2005
- Michigan Native Plants to Provide Resources for Beneficial Insects,
- An Introduction to Natural Enemies for Biological Control of Pest Insects,
- Common Bees in Michigan,
Videos
- Filter Method for Sampling for Spotted Wing Drosophila Larvae
- Rufus Isaacs - 25th Anniversary of Project GREEEN
- The Wonders of Wild Bees: Small Organisms, Epic Possibilities
- Early season vineyard insect pests
- Influences of overwintering conditions and seasonal relative humidity on SWD populations
- Rufus Isaacs - Professor
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