Research: Integrated Pest Management, Plant Protection, Horticultural and Ornamental Cropping Systems, Biological Control, Insect-Plant Interactions, Pesticides.
Dr. Cloyd's research interests are associated with pest management/plant protection, biological control, plant-insect interactions, and non-chemical means of dealing with insect and mite pests. His research program involves pest management/plant protection of insect and mite pests of horticultural crops including thrips, fungus gnats, mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites.
Dr. Cloyd also has existing research projects in turfgrass, nurseries, conservatories, and vegetables.
His research and extension program involves pest management/plant protection in greenhouses, nurseries, landscapes, turfgrass, conservatories, interiorscapes, Christmas trees, and vegetables and fruits. Dr. Cloyd is the extension specialist in horticultural entomology for the state of Kansas with a major clientele that includes homeowners, master gardeners, and professional and commercial operators
His research emphasis is on scouting, sanitation, biological control, and appropriate use of pest control materials (insecticides and miticides). His current research projects affiliated with greenhouse pest management are 1) biological control of fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.) using the rove beetle, Dalotia coriaria; 2) effect of systemic insecticides on the citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri); and 3) use of entomopathogenic fungi in rotation programs to mitigate populations of the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis).
