Robert A. Haack

I worked primarily on exotic forest insects in the areas of

1. biology and management,
2. improved trapping and monitoring strategies,
3. risk assessment and pathway analysis, and
4. treatments for solid wood packing material.

I worked on several of the recently discovered exotic bark- and wood-boring insects such as Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer (EAB), European oak borer, and pine shoot beetle. Prior to retirement in 2015, I was working primarily on the risk of firewood in transporting exotic insects and post-treatment insect colonization of wood packing material. I also participated in several national and international projects such as the USDA Early Detection and Rapid Response program for exotic bark and ambrosia beetles, the the International Forestry Quarantine Research Group, and various panels for EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization.

I'm currently conducting research efforts in

1. A re-analysis of interception rates of exotic insects associated with imported solid wood packing material,
2. Preparing major review papers on cerambycid beetles, and
3. Life history studies of various native and exotic forest and aquatic insects

Forest insect pests, especially exotic (non-native) species, can have tremendous negative impacts on tree health and related forest industries. When new exotic insects are first detected, the USDA often imposes a federal quarantine in an attempt to stop human-assisted movement of the pest. Currently in the USA, there are federal quarantines for three recently discovered exotic borers: Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, and pine shoot beetle. Research on newly discovered exotic forest insects is important to ensure that quarantines are biologically sound and minimize economic impacts. In addition, research on risk assessments and treatments of wood packing materials is important to reduce the risk of new pest introductions worldwide.