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Ash Sial

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Ash Sial

Dr. Ash Sial is Professor of Entomology at the University of Georgia. He received his B.S. from University of Arid Agriculture Rawalpindi (Pakistan), M.S. from University of Greenwich (United Kingdom), and Ph.D. Entomology from Washington State University (United States of America). Dr. Sial worked as a postdoctoral research associate at University of California Berkeley and Cornell University before accepting a faculty position at the University of Georgia. At UGA, he holds research, extension, teaching, and service appointment in department of entomology and also serves as IPM Coordinator for the state of Georgia. His research program seeks to investigate biology and ecology of economically important insect pests and utilize that information to develop more sustainable IPM programs in small fruits. In his current role as a fruit entomologist, he works closely with blueberry growers throughout the state of Georgia to determine their pest management needs and help them develop and implement environmentally sustainable and economically viable IPM programs. His research program has successfully secured over $32.1 million in competitive grants through federal and state agencies as well as private industry. He has authored over 200 research and extension publications, over 276 presentations including 43 invited seminars, 13 webinars, and 3 keynote addresses, created several educational materials including blogs, websites, and smartphone apps, and organized 21 symposia at the national and international conferences. His research program has been highlighted multiple times in print and broadcast media including national radio and television. He has extensive record of serving professional organizations in a leadership role at the regional, national and international level. Dr. Sial has served on the Entomological Society of America (ESA) Student Affairs Committee (Chair – 2010), the ESA Program Committee (2010), ESA Committee on Early Career Professionals (2013-15), ESA Pacific Branch (Program Chair – 2013) and Southeastern Branch (Program Chair – 2017), UGA Department of Entomology Seminar Committee (2015 – 2019), Southern Region Technical Committee on IPM (Chair – 2015-16 and 2021-22), Sponsorship Committee for International Congress of Entomology (2016), and Program Committee for the 9th and 10th International IPM Symposium (2018, 2022, 2025). Dr. Sial has received 39 awards for excellence in research, extension, and teaching, as well as professional leadership and service at regional and national level including WSU President’s Award 2009, John Henry Comstock Award 2010, Future Leader in IPM 2016, ESA-SEB Excellence in Early Career Award 2019, IPM Team Award 2019, ESA Science Policy Fellow 2021, ESA-SEB Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology 2023, and ESA P-IE IPM Team Award 2023.

  • Blueberry Management Suggestions After 2017 Severe Freeze Damage

    Ash Sial

    By: D. Scott NeSmith, Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia Severe freeze events such as occurred in Georgia March 15-16, 2017 present multiple challenges to growers. The magnitude of the damage varies across locations, but overall in the state the damage is substantial. This is in fact the most severe crop damage I have seen in…

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  • Public Comment on Pyrethroid Insecticides Requested

    Ash Sial

    Dear Blueberry Growers: ALL pyrethroid insecticides (bifenthrin, Warrior/Karate, Mustang Max, Baythroid, Asana, Permethrin, etc.) are currently undergoing registration review at EPA. Nine are specifically being evaluated, but serve as surrogates for all 19 active ingredients. The preliminary evaluation shows that all pyrethroids exceed “Levels of Concern” for exposure to aquatic invertebrates. THIS IS MAJOR. If…

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  • Webinar on Sustainable Management of Spotted Wing Drosophila

    Ash Sial

    Members of the Sustainable SWD Project will present a webinar online on January 25th at 12-1pm eastern time, highlighting information about control of the invasive insect pest, spotted wing Drosophila. The webinar titled “Making the Most of Your Insecticide Toolbox to Manage SWD” will cover research conducted during the first year of this project, and…

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  • Monitoring and Management of Blueberry Gall Midge

    Ash Sial

    Ash Sial1 and James Jacobs2, 1Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 2UGA Extension, Pierce County   The reports of blueberry gall midge infestations in Georgia blueberries have become more common over the last couple of years. Although blueberry gall midge has historically been referred to as a rabbiteye problem, recently it has been reported to…

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  • Webinar on Organic Management of Spotted Wing Drosophila (February 1, 2017)

    Ash Sial

    Dear Blueberry Growers and Pest Management Professionals: Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) has emerged as a devastating pest of small and stone fruits worldwide. We have organized a webinar to provide you with the most updated information on everything you need to know for organic management of SWD. This webinar will be presented on February 1,…

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  • Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) Identification, Monitoring, and Management Handouts

    Ash Sial

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  • Insecticide Regime for SWD Control on Blueberries

    Ash Sial

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  • Spotted wing drosophila identification, monitoring, and management in Georgia blueberries

    Ash Sial

    Ash Sial Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens GA, 30602. The spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an invasive and economically important pest of many soft-skinned fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, and other. Since its first detection in California in 2008, SWD spread rapidly across the United…

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  • Monitoring and Management of Thrips in Blueberries

    Ash Sial

    Flower thrips are chronic pests of both southern highbush and rabbiteye blueberries in the southeastern United States. Thrips are minute (1 to 1.3 mm long) insects with slender body and usually yellowish to orange in color. Adults have long thin wings fringed with fine hairs (Figure 1). Females are generally larger than males. Both adults…

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  • Monitoring and Management of Blueberry Gall Midge

    Ash Sial

    The reports of blueberry gall midge infestations in Georgia blueberries have become more common over the last couple of years. Blueberry gall midge, Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) was first identified as a pest of rabbiteye blueberries in the southeastern United States in early 1990s. Since then, gall midge has been confirmed as a pest…

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