Current Research Interests:
My current area of scientific interest is the integrated pest management (IPM) of sugarcane insects. The two main insect pests of sugarcane in Louisiana are sugarcane borer and sugarcane aphid. The sugarcane borer is a very dynamic pest with a long history of resistance development against a wide range of insecticide classes. Our recent studies have shown a decreased susceptibility in sugarcane borer to tebufenozide (Confirm®), an ecdysone agonist. Studies are underway to look into possible mechanisms of resistance and development of insecticide resistance management (IRM) strategies that will help preserve this novel chemistry. Related research also includes development of new chemistries and sugarcane borer resistant varieties. Sources of aphid resistance in commercial or near commercial sugarcane germplasm, and role of primary and secondary plant metabolites are also being studied.
Selected Publications:
- W.H. White, T.E. Reagan, C. Carlton, W. Akbar, and J. Beuzelin . 2007.Elachista saccharella (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae), a leafminer infesting sugarcane in Louisiana. Florida Entomologist. (submitted).
- Akbar, W., J. C. Lord, J. R. Nechols, and T. M. Loughin. 2005. Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana for red flour beetle when applied with plant essential oils or in mineral oil and organosilicon carriers. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98 (3): 683-688.
- Reay-Jones, F.P.F., W. Akbar, C.D. McAllister, T.E. Reagan, and J.A. Ottea. 2005. Reduced susceptibility to tebufenozide in populations of the sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Louisiana. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98 (3):955-960.
- Akbar, W., J. C. Lord, J. R. Nechols and R. W. Howard. 2004. Diatomaceous earth increases the efficacy of Beauveria bassiana against Tribolium castaneum larvae and increases conidia attachment . Journal of Economic Entomology . 97(2): 273-280.
- Akbar, W., and A. Khaliq. 2000. Field evaluation of soybean varieties for resistance to whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius: Aleyrodidae: Homoptera. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology. 2 (1-2): 116-120.
- A. Khaliq, W. Akbar, and M. Amjad. 2000. Studies on the relative resistance of some soybean varieties against whitefly and its population fluctuations during the crop season. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences. 3(10): 1658-1661.
- Akbar, W., A. Khaliq and M. Amjad. 2000. Rating of some early maturing soybean varieties for whitefly responses and its population trends in autumn and spring seasons. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology. 2 (1-2): 99-103.
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